Understanding eating disorders: blogs and stories

This is a subject I talk about rarely. It is taboo for me and for many in society. I have an eating disorder, bulimia. I have only spoken to a handful of friends and family about the difficulties I have had with my weight.

At first I was very secretive about my illness. I was ashamed and didn’t want anyone to know. I pretended for a long time that it didn’t matter.

Many people would look at me and not realise I have a mental health issue, I’m not a different species or a green spotted monster, the last time I checked I was still human.

I am a 24 year old female, living in Yorkshire and enjoy music, art, reading, films and gaming.

Throughout most of my school life I was bullied for being different. I got laughed at, called names and generally didn't 'fit' in. During those years I thought everyone had alternate personalities so it didn't make sense to me that I would get picked on for it. It wasn't until my middle to late teens that I realised I was different to many people.

We both write and tweet about mental health daily, share our own experiences of eating disorders and talk about awareness, stigma and recovery on a regular basis…but why?