OSFED stories
"Emetophobia and me" - Annabel's story
Our supporter Annabel tells her story of developing a phobia of vomiting as a teenager, and her brave journey to recovery
"We struggled for 18 months to get help for my daughter"
My daughter became unwell in her teens with what we now know was OSFED: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder.
Dear me (the person I was before EDNOS)
Dear me, the girl with the laughing face. Hard times are coming. You’re going to hate your body, detest the very skin you reside in, yet obsess over it, every inch of skin.
Discovering freedom from OSFED
From the age of 14 I developed consciousness and insecurities about the way I looked. I was surrounded by a family who were influenced by ‘Slimming World’ and other dietary groups, which reflected on the way I perceived not only myself, but food as well.
"But you look fine; you can’t be ill."
Approaching the end of my psychotherapy sessions I am so grateful for finally receiving the correct help. I remember being completely convinced that I was going to be laughed out of therapy and told ‘you’re fine, you’re not ill enough yet, what are you doing here?’
To recover, I needed to be okay with being me
Some would be shocked and consider it a waste of NHS money if I told you I spent some sessions just sobbing or in angry silence, but that was what I needed.
10 Helpful Things to Say to Someone With an Eating Disorder
10 helpful things to say to someone with an eating disorder as knowing what to say to someone can be tricky.