"I had no outstanding family position and felt as if I had no outstanding trait among my peers. I was in competition with them to be thin, smart, popular. This was the beginning of my anorexia."

Mel

"It all began as skipping one meal after being called a"

Allie

"I realized that eating disorders never disappear, they simply shuffle themselves to the backs of closets and lurk, whether waiting for control or acceptance."

Amadeo

"I could not concentrate on anything other than my next binge or purge."

Nina

"I feel guilty every time I eat."

Joana

"This is an eating disorder in recovery. I eat six times per day, like clockwork. I exercise. I rest. I have friends, a job, schoolwork, bills, and responsibilities."

Carolyn

"I enjoyed nothing more than cooking large meals for everyone, but didn’t eat myself or if I did eat I would binge followed by a purge."

Denise

"I wanted a lot out of life, I had a lot of expectations of myself, and I was convinced being thin was a part of that."

Wendy

"I was also hospitalized several times, lost jobs, a fiance and friendships. The eating disorder consumed my life and my mind became my enemy."

Nina

"My disorder cost me the completion of my high school education. I was an excellent student."

Alicia

"Soon I couldn't go through a meal without knowing how many calories I was consuming. As I continued to restrict more and more, my actions became more obvious. I was constantly sad for no apparent reason, and would get angry very quickly."

Shanel

"Without these individuals and factors I would not have climbed the mountain that is recovery. But I also would not have done it without me!"

Temimah

"My eating disorder took over for about eight months until I got therapy, which helped immensely, but also made me realize I was pursuing a dream and career that I didn't really want at all, which was really at the root of my obsession with food and weight"

Anonymous

"I was really into ballet, which, combined with going through puberty, was a recipe for body issues. I began with food restriction, as most do, and the vicious cycle began. I didn’t know it was an eating disorder."

Wendy

"I learned to get in touch with a higher power, to creatively visualize what recovery looked like for me and to gain confidence that I had a place in the world and that I could express myself, accept myself and let go of the shame that had me locked away a"

Nina

"My life was consumed with food, insecurities and my outward appearance. While other kids were learning what their favourite sports or colours were, I had my head in a toilet."

Melanie

"Only two people know about my eating disorder: my mom and one of my best friends. They are very understanding, but I don't think they fully understand what I'm going through. Sometimes they try to make me eat, which always results in a round of yelling an"

Claire

"I gradually began to lose weight through heavily restricting my food, and exercising excessively. I lost weight – a lot, but I failed to feel like I had achieved anything"

Imogen

"It took time, and trial and error... but it paid off..."

Imogen

"I am so lucky and thankful that I found the courage to ask for help – I really needed it"

Imogen

"It may sound daunting - especially if you've been secretive for so long - but telling someone you trust is a good first step"

WebMD

"The NHS National Diabetes Audit estimated that about one in three women with Type 1 diabetes under the age of 30 are either currently abusing insulin or have done in the past"

NHS National Diabetes Audit

"When our son was diagnosed with Anorexia we were shocked, and felt like our whole lives had turned upside down"

Helen

"Many of the emotions and situations we have been through have been nightmarish at times and I have felt it would never end"

Helen

"You do feel at times that you are living a different life to everyone else"

Helen

"I feel that the fact both of us were having therapy helped us understand each other better and we developed a better way of communicating"

Ian

"It was a long battle from that first counselling appointment to today but I can now say without a doubt that Kel is FULLY recovered from her eating disorder"

Ian

"I was never a fit young person and certainly had a lot of “puppy fat""

Jeni

"I was told by Doctors I'd done too much damage to my body over my teenage years and I would probably never have children. My husband and I are very pleased to say I've just given birth to our first baby, Evelyn"

Jeni

"The days when every waking moment was consumed by mental arithmetic to work out how many calories are in different foods and what I would allow myself to eat are gone"

Jeni

"Recovering from an eating disorder takes time. There are no quick fixes or miracle cures, so it’s important to have patience."

Leonora

"Being strong is being able to get out of your eating disorder and becoming healthy, even when the voice in your head won’t let you. Ignoring this voice, is being the strongest, so don’t ever give up."

Anna

"Stop comparing yourself to others. You’re your own person."

Louis

"Inner beauty never needs makeup or diets."

Aaron

"Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care."

Anonymous

"Recovery won’t be perfect, Nothing ever is. You are not your past, let’s see what we can both make of our future. Never underestimate yourself. You can’t fail at something if you keep trying…"

Shelby

"The secret of health for both the body and mind is not to mourn the past, or worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."

Anonymous

"Please take care of yourself and give yourself all the credit you deserve."

Linda

"I am angry that I starved my brain and that I sat shivering in my bed at night instead of dancing or reading poetry or eating ice cream or kissing somebody."

Anonymous