This week is Eating Disorder awareness week, and there has been lots of positive, informative and inspiring stories, articles and interviews shared online and in the media. One piece that really sticks out to us was this radio documentary made for Beat102103 by Michelle Heffernan. We have always said that there is nothing more powerful than a shared personal story, and this was for sure personal and for sure powerful.

We contacted Michelle and asked her to write a piece for us, telling us about the documentary, and why she was inspired to make it. This is what she has to say…

“Overcoming anorexia was the hardest thing I ever did, but it is the reason I am alive today.

When I was 18 it looked like I had it all. I had achieved 600 points in my Leaving Cert, I had a loving family, boyfriend, place secured in Trinity College. Inside I was the most unhappy depressed girl . I had an eating disorder, and it was slowly killing me.

Ten years on from my diagnosis with anorexia nervosa, I am a healthy weight. I still have issues with food and how I look, but my body gives me the energy to do all the things I love. I never finished my degree in Trinity or made it to the top of the payroll, but I am alive. And I am so grateful for that.

I made “The Truth About Eating Disorders” with Beat 102 103 so that no one, ever, has to experience the suffering and desolation of an eating disorder. Whether you are under or over weight, man or woman, 19 or 90 you can contract an eating disorder and it can take over your life. It is nothing like a diet ,it is an all consuming illness, and carries the highest mortality rate of all mental disorders. But there is hope. You can find help and support, like I did, and you can recover. You can learn to be kinder to your body and yourself. You can regain control and regain your life.

I hope you can listen, learn and most of all find support. We can all at some point, find ourselves suffering from an eating disorder. And we can all help each other through it . xx

Please listen to Michelle’s beautiful piece here. And as always, if you have any questions, or need support, contact Bodywhys. x