Your Stories

Now, I’m having to source ingredients and make food-related decisions in the moment, thus shaking me from my self-imposed reverie. This, added to my constant fear of someone coughing on me next to the tubs of Hellmans makes what should be a straightforward activity into a frantic, emotionally charged scenario.

These two posts, written two years apart, show how Mel managed to overcome a lot of the anxiety she felt around shopping for food.

I have suffered with anorexia for about 2 1/2 years now, and the descent into the disorder was very fast and absolutely devastating.

The right support and information helps family and loved ones understand, so they can provide the love and care needed for everyone.

I feel very lucky to have found a support group – but it would have been wonderful if this had been available more locally.

You just have to remember to be there for them when they need you and gently nudge them in the right direction.

After a good three years of recovery from anorexia, my first thought whenever someone rejects me is: 'I wonder if they'd like me if I were thinner.'

I’ve worked tirelessly in day care, private therapy and on my own to get as “recovered” as I can possibly be. I wasn’t content with surviving with an eating disorder. To me the mental torture and confines are the worst part, so a healthy body without a quality of life was not enough.

I believe no matter how hard it may be there will always be a way out. You don’t need anorexia to define who you are. It's okay to let it go.

My eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, started off in 2012 when I was at university. I was having flashbacks and nightmares; I felt very vulnerable.

On 8 July 2019, the Victoria Derbyshire show discussed the state of eating disorder treatment and the importance of family empowerment. One parent whose daughter has been ill with anorexia for eight years shares her experience.

Since turning 30, I have come to realise just how much of my life has been wasted and controlled by my eating disorder.