Name: Lauren
Age: 20
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?
My name is Lauren, I’m 20 and I’m from Dublin. I have struggled with my mental health since I was around 12, I started self harming and had some difficulties with food. Things got worse when I was 16 and I struggled with restricting my food intake and over exercising. I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa after being admitted to a general hospital.
Q: When did you realise you had issues with eating, and what did you do to seek help?
A: I didn’t understand that my thoughts and behaviours were an eating disorder, even after a diagnosis. My Mum brought me to the GP and I had a meeting with CAMHS a week later, who advised we go to A&E. After being in a general hospital I went to a CAHMS unit. The morning I turned 18 I was discharged, I only spent 7 days in the ward. I ended up back in a general hospital 3 days later. I was on the waiting list for St Pat’s after going home again, but spent another 3 months in a general hospital before going inpatient in St. Pats. I spent a year in and out of St. Pat’s, on the eating disorder ward and a secure unit.
Q: Did you encounter any difficulties when seeking treatment?
A: The lack of connectivity between adolescent and adult services was difficult. I was discharged from CAMHS on my 18th birthday with no help in place from them. The waiting lists were so long for specialised services that I spent months waiting in a general hospital to be transferred. BMI criteria for accessing services was also a challenge, I couldn’t leave general hospital until I met the BMI requirements for a psychiatric ward. I feel a general hospital setting is not suitable for those struggling with an eating disorder, it was very triggering for me personally.
Q: What changes would you like to see in eating disorder services?
A: I would like to see more hospital beds available for people with eating disorders. More specialised services available for people throughout the country, both inpatient and outpatient. The waiting lists can lead to people deteriorating further, while they are unable to access support.
Q: What is one thing you would like people to know about eating disorders?
A: Eating disorders can affect anyone of any gender, physical appearance, background etc. They do not have a physical appearance. Eating disorders are also not a choice, it is not as simple as ‘just eating’ or choosing not to engage in unhelpful behaviours.
Comments such as ‘you look so healthy’ and ‘you have gained weight’ can be extremely triggering for us, even when they are well meaning.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to someone who is struggling with an eating disorder?
A: Recovery takes time and patience, but you will get there. It is so important to reach out and open up to someone you trust. Small steps each day lead to a beautiful outcome!
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: That’s everything thank you:)
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