The Imperfects Jamila Rizvi - Awoken by a Broken Brain
Nov 23, 2025
Jamila Rizvi, a bestselling author and gender equality advocate, shares her profound journey of living with a brain tumor and its repercussions on her identity. She discusses the emotional struggle of redefining herself after losing cognitive functions and how her health challenges affected her relationships. Jamila opens up about developing an eating disorder as a means of control and the subsequent battle with body image. Through therapy, she explores new narratives about her life, ultimately finding pride in her vulnerabilities and redefining her sense of self.
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Starving To Regain Control
- Jamila developed hypothalamic obesity causing ferocious hunger and rapid weight gain, then coped by severely restricting food.
- She says she convinced herself doctors approved her extreme restriction, and that starving gave her a sense of control.
A Terrifying Fat-Freezing Episode
- In a desperate episode Jamila sought 'fat freezing' and experienced extreme pain, cooling and panic that nearly required an ambulance.
- She kept it secret, driving home in a distressed state and later told her husband who responded with sorrow and support.
Drugs Restored Joy Around Food
- Newer weight-loss drugs helped Jamila regain joy in food and social life after years of restriction.
- She feels conflicted about benefiting from pharma research that prioritises profitable markets over rare-patient needs.
