The eating disorder survivor giving others 'hope'

Lisa says she shares her experience to try and give people some hope

A woman who battled anorexia for more than a decade is now using her experience to support others struggling with eating disorders "to try and give people some hope".

Lisa Blatchfield, 27, developed the illness at 14 and fought it for 12 years until she was 26.

Now, as an Eating Disorder Peer Support Worker at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, she helps others on their recovery journey.

"At first, I would throw away my lunch at school without thinking much about it," she said. "But over time, the disorder took over my life."

Lisa shared her story as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, to highlight how these conditions can develop slowly and unnoticed.

For years, she denied she had a problem, even when teachers noticed the signs.

"Eating disorders are very insidious. They creep up on you, and before you know it, your whole life is consumed by it," Lisa explained.

"I brushed it off, saying everything was fine. But eventually, I could not ignore it any more."

After years of struggling, she accepted support and began her recovery.

'A lot of shame'

Now, Lisa helps others on their road to recovery from eating disorders through meal support, body image groups, and open conversations.

"I share my experience to try and give people some hope and try and bring as much awareness to eating disorders as possible," she said.

Nerissa Shaw, clinical lead for eating disorder support in the south and west of England, said the need for awareness around eating disorders had never been greater, with a 400% rise in people seeking help since the pandemic.

"Eating disorders can be isolating, and people feel a lot of shame when they have one," she said.

"That's one of the reasons it's so difficult to ask for help or come forward. But there is support available - it is crucial to reach out before it's too late."

With Eating Disorders Awareness Week shining a light on these complex conditions, Lisa hopes that by sharing her experience, more people will feel able to seek support.

"We need to break the silence," she said. "Eating disorders affect everyone, and the more we talk about it, the more people will seek help."