DR. WALLACE: My best friend lost a lot of weight in a very short time. Last week, she was hospitalized because she has anorexia. My mom says anorexia is a disease and she's afraid my friend might pass the disease on to me. Is this possible? — Nameless, Dallas.

NAMELESS: Anorexia nervosa is a psychological eating disorder, not a contagious disease so it can't be passed to you.

Anorexics see themselves as overweight even when they are extremely thin, and they go on stringent — sometimes, literally, "starvation" — diets, which over time can be fatal. I'm glad to hear that your friend has been hospitalized; rarely can an anorexic overcome this condition without help.

Indeed, anorexics need all the help and support they can get. Your friend needs your love now, more than ever. She has a tough road ahead of her. Make sure your mother reads my answer.

BEING UNATTACHED ISN'T ALL THAT BAD

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and a very confused young woman. About a month ago, my boyfriend and I broke up because he found a new girlfriend. He met her while he was on a trip to San Francisco. He was kind enough to come home and tell me he was quitting his job and moving to San Francisco, so he could be closer to her. I was stunned. Jason was my first and only love. I honestly believed he would be my husband and the father of our children.

He has left town and I know our relationship is over, but I still feel depressed and alone. My parents are helpful, but they will never know exactly how I feel. All I hear is that "eventually" I'll feel better. All I want to know is how long will it take for "eventually" to get here? — Jade, Porterville, Calif.

JADE: "Eventually" is different for each person, but you can certainly speed the process by believing you'll recover. Take my word for it, you will! No one has smooth sailing on the sea of love. On the same day that your letter arrived, I also received the following letter from Casey. I hope it lifts your spirits.

DR. WALLACE: Three months ago, my boyfriend of five years ended our relationship. I was devastated. I thought my life was over. We were very serious, and I thought he was the man I would someday marry. He was my life and I thought I couldn't survive without him.

Fortunately, with the help of my friends and family, I survived. I am now a much stronger person and realize I can handle any difficult situation. I am writing this letter to let all your readers know that there is life after a breakup!

Since our breakup, I have learned a lot about myself and have taken time to decide what I want in a relationship. I am a very happy young woman who is having the time of her life meeting new people and dating different guys. Being unattached isn't all that bad. In fact, it's a lot of fun. — Casey, Greenville, Miss.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.