Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2019

Anna, Abbie and Nicola share their stories.

Anna and Abbie both have experience of anorexia.

This Eating Disorders Awareness Week (25 February-3 March) they’re sharing their stories of recovery to highlight the positive impact of treatment and to encourage others to seek the help they need.

The purpose of the week is to put eating disorders on the agenda. By raising awareness, challenging stigma and tackling stereotypes, organisations across the country are hoping to show that eating disorders don’t discriminate and can affect anyone.

Anna’s story

In her short film, Anna explains that she didn’t think anorexia could affect her and shares the challenges she faced when trying to do something that most of us take for granted – shop for food at the supermarket.

Anna received treatment from the CONNECT eating disorders service and explains how she benefited from both one-to-one and group sessions.

She has the following message for anyone who is considering taking the first step and asking for help: “Going to CONNECT and getting help was the best decision. I was so incredibly lucky… to make that step. I would say don’t be scared and take the leap of faith now.”

Watch Anna’s film below.

Abbie’s story

In her video message, Abbie speaks openly about the moment she realised she needed extra support. She shares her experiences of the CONNECT service and how her feelings on group therapy changed during her time there.

Abbie said: “Looking back, I can understand why I was scared [about group therapy] but having now been through it, it’s really not scary at all. The people you meet are really nice. You almost have to feel the fear and do it anyway!”

Watch Abbie’s film below.

Eating disorders don’t only affect those diagnosed. They can be felt far more widely and seeing a loved one battle an eating disorder can be particularly hard for families.

Nicola is Abbie’s sister. In the following film, she looks at things from a sibling’s perspective and explains how receiving family therapy at CONNECT helped.

Watch Nicola’s film below.

CONNECT is a specialist eating disorders service that provides treatment for adults with eating disorders across the West Yorkshire and Harrogate region.

You can find out more about the service by visiting the CONNECT page.