Your Stories

Beat Ambassador Summer shares her thoughts on how to cope with eating disorders during this time.

This is an incredibly challenging and stressful time and it may not feel like it right now, but you will look back on these few weeks and months and you’ll be so proud of yourself for getting through this.

This is a very difficult time for everyone, and we are all struggling in a manner of ways. Even those with healthy and good relationships with food are finding this time challenging. It’s really okay to struggle.

With the current advice to stay at home, the additional anxiety and uncertainty for the future and disruption of usual routine, it is not surprising that eating disorder symptoms can feel more overbearing than usual.

I wanted to dedicate a few minutes to give my advice, on what I am doing and would do to decrease the likelihood of relapse, increased anxieties and pressure.

Like many of you, I too am battling an eating disorder during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These are hugely uncertain times we live in right now. It is hard to make sense of all the information in the media and to take measures to protect our own mental health.

My daughter became unwell in her teens with what we now know was OSFED: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder.

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

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.

Take on The Big Jump together to help end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.