top of page
Search

Q&A Series: Emily

Writer's picture: Amy HanleyAmy Hanley


Name: Emily 

   Age: 19

   Gender: Female


    Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for my blog. The goal is to raise awareness about what eating disorders are and what sufferers go through.


Q: Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself, and about the eating disorder you have?


A: I am currently 19 and in college and I live in Cork. I play basketball and Irish dancing. I am diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.


Q: When did you realise you had issues with eating, and what did you do to seek help? 

 

A: The beginning of 2020. Didn’t seek help until the following summer.

 

Q: Did you encounter any difficulties when seeking treatment? 


 A: I was not referred to anywhere after my first GP appointment as I was not clinically underweight. 1 month later I returned to the GP underweight and was diagnosed and referred to inpatient in St. Patrick’s hospital. I was then transferred to CAMHS with no support. My mum had to advocate for me to be referred to the ED CAMHS services in Dublin. 

 

Q: What changes would you like to see in eating disorder services?


 A: General CAMHS had little understanding of an eating disorder and prioritised physical help over my mental state.

 

Q: What is one thing you would like people to know about eating disorders?


 A: It is not about your weight, it is a mental illness and can affect someone at any weight. 


Q: What piece of advice would you give to someone who is struggling with an eating disorder? 


A: If you have an advocate or parent, their help is constantly needed. In order to change mentally you have to gain weight first even if it is scary because it is 100% worth it.

38 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page