Toronto Star

Girlfriend faked sickness for attention

- Ellie Twitter: @ellieadvic­e

Recently, my girlfriend and I went out for all-you-can-eat sushi. Later, I helped her move in with me.

I did all the heavy lifting. It drove me crazy that she didn’t help, so I expressed myself. Later, we unpacked all her goods. My place is small, so she had to reduce her massive wardrobe.

During that process, she mentioned her stomach was hurting. It became so painful, I had to show her things and let her decide where I should put them.

Her illness seemed suspicious. I had already offered stomach medication­s. Soon, she lay in our bed, shaking. I helped her to the bathroom to throw up.

Previously, she had told me that when I have a sick stomach, I should make myself throw up. I advised the same and she did.

But first she said she didn’t think it would help. People who create false problems often reject solutions so that they can continue to get the attention they must crave.

I gave her water, rubbed her back, held her hair, got her toothbrush ready.

But I didn’t give her the attention. I brought her back to bed and spooned her at her request. Since I wouldn’t want to be bothered if in her position, I watched a movie on my phone.

She said I wasn’t helping her at all and that our relationsh­ip was going to fail. When I called her out on everything, she fell silent. She bought into her own fake story. What should I do? Why did she do what she did? How should I react if I ever suspect her acting again? Bad Boyfriend From the top: 1. I love sushi, but “all you can eat” often promotes overdoing it. Her stomach pain may have been legitimate.

2. I hate vomiting and so do most people. It’s body-wracking and difficult to force relief if there wasn’t some need … even though she may have exaggerate­d it.

3. Moving in with someone is an emotion-laden change. Yes, she should have helped more, but the whole procedure and having to give up some of her things must have been upsetting.

4. You stayed by her side through it, which was good.

5. You just didn’t get it, that she wanted more than attention. No, it was reassuranc­e that you were the right partner for her to have chosen.

6. You’re a good guy at heart because you’re asking for help for future incidents.

7. The answer: Do NOT interpret a bid for attention only as “acting.”

Find out what’s really upsetting her and try to work it out together, without blame. Why won’t my new husband remove the name of his late wife (expired five years ago) from mail that comes to our home?

I had requested this several months before we married. He says that he will, but hasn’t. He still has many photos of her with him on his Facebook page and only a few of me or us. It has caused heated arguments.

She’s dead. Send her mail to heaven. I’m tired of seeing it at our home. Disgusted

There’s more to this, for you to actually feel “disgust” about it. Getting counsellin­g together seems crucially needed.

He has obviously moved on in life by marrying you. But he still respects her memory, and perhaps feels awkward obliterati­ng her image on Facebook, where family and friends would notice.

You speak very harshly about her, which could feel too hurtful to him to bother about her name on an envelope. Therapy can help get past this. Tip of the day When a partner’s seeking caring attention, give it, don’t hold back with attitude.

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