Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

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Need help?
Donate
Need help?

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Need help?
Donate

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Need help?

All stories

The personal stories below have been shared by those touched by an eating disorder, whether that be the person themselves, their family or friends. These stories give insight into the challenges and triumphs faced when managing and recovering from an eating disorder.

Angela 's story

An Eating Disorder Recovery Story for Carers

It’s changing your world, one meal, one thought, one action and one belief at a time.
Read Angela 's story
Leah 's story

In the end, you have to fight

Now I’m 24 and am studying nursing at university, holding down jobs, mentally surviving a global pandemic, and excited to celebrate and eat with friends and family.
Read Leah 's story
Ashlyn's story

The cycle of eating disorders through generations- My Story

It is a constant struggle but it is also a daily practice of gratitude. I choose to love myself the way that I love my daughters. They are not the sum of their bodies and appearance, and neither am I.
Read Ashlyn's story
Jenni-Lee's story

To Anorexia Nervosa, with love

Discovering the 'why's' allowed me to decide just how I was going to rearrange my life to become one reflective of me, and a joy! As information regarding why an eating disorder had shown up at 15, I grew in strength
Read Jenni-Lee's story
Monique 's story

The Journey Begins to Self Discovery

The journey will have highs and lows but that is why it is called the journey
Read Monique 's story
Karen's story

If I hadn’t waved my arms to let someone know I was drowning, there is no way I could have kept my head above water much longer

I thought I had faced some demons in my life and had done so with minimal noise and attention but this, this is so powerful, that if I hadn’t waved my arms to let someone know I was drowning, there is no way I could have kept my head above water much longer.
Read Karen's story
Erika's story

A letter to my future daughter

As much as I would love to meet you, I also just want to keep you in there, nice and safe. Because once you make your debut into the world, I know that there are things I cannot protect you from. The world isn't always the beautiful place it should be.
Read Erika's story
Emanuela's story

A carer’s story of hope and possibility

Could an experience of having an eating disorder become a breakthrough to something else? This is a story of hope and possibility. My intention is to share with you what got me through the painful experience as a carer when my daughter Olivia was admitted into hospital dangerously unwell with anorexia nervosa in March 2015.
Read Emanuela's story
Anonymous's story

To other mums – Trust your instincts, you know your child best!

I tell my story as a Mum, and the struggle to get our daughter help. Our daughter was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa at 15 ... And 5 years later, the journey has taken our daughter, my son, my husband and I on a terrifying journey that only others that have been through it would truly understand.
Read Anonymous's story
Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.
We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

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