Our Stories
SWEDA story posts may sometimes contain information or descriptions that might be upsetting if you are someone who is affected by eating or mental health problems. If you think this might apply to you, please proceed with care.
During Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024, the MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, brought attention to the prevalence of eating disorders in the UK in a debate in Westminster Hall.... SWEDA’s CEO Paula Blight talks in-depth about the challenges of running one of the largest eating disorder charities and why regional charities have never been so ‘needed’.... Content warning: body image.
Clinical Lead Nerissa Shaw considers the implications of the National Child Measurement Programme and the negative impact this can have on the next generation.... Content warning: self-harm, body image, restrictive eating, binge eating. To me, it feels fair to say that I can’t remember ever feeling comfortable in my skin as a child.
... Content warning: restrictive eating, body image, self-harm, binge eating. Through my studies I had some awareness of how the body worked, so I strategised very well about how I could take away as much as I could from my body in terms of nourishment whilst still functioning.... No content warnings. Helping people with mental health problems is something that means a lot to me as I have experienced problems with my own mental health. Having had experience with eating problems,... Content warning: restrictive eating, exercise, body image, mention of suicide. Reflecting on my struggles with food and body image, I starkly realised that I had not shared this with anyone before and yet it had ‘controlled’ my life for 15 years. Recently, I was reminded why I kept it ‘locked away’.
Someone asked me what I was writing:
“A blog” I said.... Content warning: abuse, restrictive eating, exercise, body image. In this SWEDA View blog post, Clinical Lead Nerissa Shaw considers the damning evidence about abuse in Gymnastics.... Content warning: binge eating, exercise. During this uncertain time it’s very hard time for everybody. The sudden effects of lockdown and losing routine is hard for everyone, but it can be particularly challenging for people with mental health issues and eating disorders.... Content warning: restrictive eating. On my journey of self-discovery, of transmuting pain into power, I learned early on in my journey I had to dig deep beneath the symptoms of the eating disorder. Eating disorders are like a poisoned layered cake they have many layers and reasons why, not just one. This is exploring one layer of toxic eating disorders.... Content warning: drug addiction. What does my drug addiction say to the world? It says I need to escape my trauma. I need an easy button that catapults me out of my body into a numbed state of existence.... Content warning: restrictive eating, body image, exercise. What they didn’t know was that between the ages of 17 to 19 I struggled with Bulimia. I say Bulimia, though I never went to the doctors to be formally diagnosed, I found myself consumed in a state of wanting to be skinny, feeling that everything was out of control - Nan dying who I was very close with, failing an A level... Content warning: body image, restrictive eating, purging, exercise. I was 14 maybe 15 when I fully started becoming aware of my body. I had started puberty prior to that, but it was at this young age that I really started to feel like I was over weight. I wasn’t of course, and I perhaps carried a little bit of “puppy fat”, but I was by no means fat.... No content warnings. Recently I've discovered how gratitude is a real antidote for when fear kicks in and the eating disorder starts to drive the bus! I was recommended by my Support Worker to maybe try writing a gratitude journal. On the same day I saw a post on the SWEDA Twitter feed about gratitude.... Content warning: restrictive eating. In 2011 I was discharged from the community eating disorders team and vowed 'never again.' After several relapses of Anorexia since 1985, I was determined this was the last time. I was educated, had a good understanding of the illness and a supportive network.... Content warning: binge eating, body image, exercise, restrictive eating. In recovery, it’s so important to recognise who you are! Rather than being led by my eating disorder. In my years of recovery, I’ve realised I don’t need to run around filling my day with disorder rituals and looking after everyone else. I deserve to look after me and it’s taken me five years to discover myself.... No content warnings. I started off my professional journey with SWEDA over a year ago. I was (and still am) a very proud counselling volunteer supporting adults with their issues around food, body image and relationship with themselves. There are many life lessons, humbling moments, and connections I took away with me during this special time.... No content warnings. At the start of the year, I was coming out of the worst place I have ever found myself in with my eating disorder and mental health. It had taken so much away from me. A lot of which, at the time, I hadn’t even realised.
I had been struggling on and off with my eating for a few years, but it was when I started studying for my A levels that others began to notice.... Content warning: body image, restrictive eating. The Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association has been engaging with young people since our inception in 1992. While people of all ages are affected by eating disorders, SWEDA is most frequently contacted by young people aged 16-25.... No content warnings. I have volunteered for SWEDA for a nearly a year and have recently started to do Recovery Support. This involves helping people meet their recovery goals in a 12-week programme by seeing a Recovery Support Worker....In the news: MP Wera Hobhouse raises awareness about eating disorders
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The Future and Why Eating Disorders Charities are so Special
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The SWEDA View: The National Child Measurement Programme: A Weighty Issue
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John's Story - Part One
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John's Story - Part Two
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John's Story - Part Three
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Jude's Story
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The SWEDA View - The Gymnastics Scandal: Young Sportspeople and Eating Disorders
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Lockdown and my eating disorder challenge
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Hunger vs Fulfilment
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How do I speak the Truth through my eating disorder and prescription substance abuse
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Let's stop the stigma
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My Bulimia Story
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The art of surrender
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If at first you don't succeed
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This is ME!
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Not simply A to B, but the in between
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The road to recovery leads a student to France and university
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SWEDA is here to support children and young people
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Recovery Support Project
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