Guidelines for Personal Stories
Bodywhys is sometimes contacted by people who wish to share their experience of an eating disorder through the organisation’s website or social media accounts. Personal stories can play an important role in highlighting the impact of living with an eating disorder. In order to facilitate the sharing of personal stories which are safe and non-triggering Bodywhys asks that you try to:
- Avoid highlighting detailed eating disorder behaviours
- Avoid graphic descriptions of weight or methods of weight loss and control
- Avoid use of potentially distressing photographs or imagery
- Where possible, focus on feelings
If you further require clarification, please email info@bodywhys.ie
Thanks to all those who contributed to this page, and helped to bring it alive. If you have a poem or other piece that you would like to submit please send it to info@bodywhys.ie
All poems and stories that appear have been submitted and reprinted with the permission of the authors. Copyrights are retained by the original authors and you must contact us in order to obtain permission to reprint. Note: poems can sometimes be written by people trying to make sense of a very painful time in their lives, and thus you may find the content upsetting from time to time.
DISCLAIMER: Bodywhys offers the Personal Stories Section as an outlet for personal expression. We are not responsible for the content and writing is hosted on the website unedited. Writing directly related to eating disorders will be prioritised.
All Stories Matter: A Mother’s Perspective
In Oct 2023 my daughter was suspected of having anorexia, and we were referred to a specialist CAMHS service. Fear, the unknown and helplessness faced me – as a mother I wanted to ‘fix it’...
Read More »All Stories Matter: “I didn’t realise that this disorder would take over my child, my other children, their grandparents, my parents”
I have cared for my daughter for over 10 years now. It has taken a huge toll on my mental and physical health. When I started out on this journey, my daughter was 13. I...
Read More »All Stories Matter: A Dad’s Perspective
I did Pilar, the New Maudsley skills workshops, read three books and consulted an ED specialist. This gave me a cerebral understanding of the disorder and the road to recovery and avoided me taking on...
Read More »All Stories Matter: “Recovery does not follow a straight line”
My daughter’s diagnosis of anorexia caused mixed emotions. There was relief in having the distress named followed by fear for her future and what lay ahead. Since then there have been conflicts, contradictions and a...
Read More »All Stories Matter: “It’s as if an unwelcome, uninvited stranger comes to live in your home and wreaks havoc.”
We have a daughter who developed anorexia when she was 16 years old. It changed our lives individually and as a family in a profound way. Someone said to us in the early days that...
Read More »All Stories Matter: Severe and Enduring Eating Disorder (SEED)
As a carer for someone with SEED – Severe and Enduring Eating Disorder – I have somehow managed to hang on to HOPE. Hope that tomorrow, or even later today, something or someone will manage...
Read More »All Stories Matter: My Daughter’s Journey with Anorexia
The start of my eldest daughter’s anorexia took me completely by surprise. At 12, she collapsed after swimming, and I discovered she had been hiding food in her bedroom. My initial reaction was anger and...
Read More »All Stories Matter: Binge Eating Disorder
My daughter has a binge-eating disorder. This showed up when she was 7 years old. It has been very difficult to get support. I believe it’s the most common eaten disorder, but the least recognised...
Read More »All Stories Matter: A Mum’s Perspective
My daughter was diagnosed firstly with disordered eating and then anorexia in June 2024. It was a very swift decline – almost like she woke up on a Monday and decided, this is the day I’m...
Read More »All Stories Matter: “Breakthroughs and setbacks, messy, complicated and far from quick”
I remember that new-born baby, that warm chubby cheeked bundle lying on my chest, taking her breaths with mine, and I felt I could protect her from anything. Now fifteen years on, emaciated, refusing food,...
Read More »All Stories Matter: Lillia’s Story
I am going to tell you my story about caring for my daughter who has been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa since the 25th January 2024. She was diagnosed by CAMHS on the 22nd January 2024...
Read More »All Stories Matter: “Be kind to yourself”
I am a mother with a daughter diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. My journey has been to hell and back. Initially, I didn’t have the tools needed to help her, but through therapy and classes, I...
Read More »
