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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.

Belle's story

The beginning of it all, and the struggle for help

I played a lot of sports when I was growing up, coming from sporty parents and being the only one in five kids who held a massive love for it.
Read Belle's story
Maya's story

It was really all lies

Never have I felt that it is more important to be a good role model than now. Deep down in my heart and soul I have this urge to share what I’ve learnt from not being my own friend, from constantly burning myself down like evidence you have to get rid of.
Read Maya's story
Amy's story

I was recently told by a complete stranger that I have a ‘really nice energy about me

I think I have recovered from my ED but I believe it will always be part of me to some extent. It is a bit like a shadow that follows me around, but now I can control it.
Read Amy's story
Alexandra's story

You are never, ever alone

For almost 12 years now, I have observed my sister's terrifying battle with Anorexia Nervosa. After experiencing severe trauma in her early teenage years, coupled with a family history of mental illness, my sister shrunk to a shell of her former self. I have seen firsthand how this illness isolates and intimidates it's victims.
Read Alexandra's story
Erin's story

Mental health was never discussed when I was growing up

I had a very happy childhood, with an amazing immediate and extended family. I was a fun, happy go lucky, smart kid. I danced with different dance companies from the age of 2 and loved performing. I was good at sport, music, and had a lot of friends. My life changed in year 7 when I was 12.
Read Erin's story
Isabella's story

Every meal is still a struggle, but every meal had brings me one step closer to recovery

Thinking back on my life, it is so refreshing to remember the days when I was utterly carefree and had fun, because these were the days that consumed little of my life. Having only a few good friends, not participating in many sports, and being a little too independent for my age was always my thing, maybe because I was an only child and loved my own company or maybe because even as a child I did not feel confident within myself.
Read Isabella's story
Alex's story

I met 5 girls working towards a life free of Anorexia while I was in hospital and they are my strength everyday

Being underwater was used as a metaphor for living with an eating disorder; swimming to the surface and breaking through, a metaphor for recovery. I was diagnosed with Anorexia back in late 2013, just a few short months after having graduated Year 12.
Read Alex's story
Candice's story

Don’t ever be ashamed of your story

Don't ever be ashamed of your story. Anorexia Nervosa is not a made up illness, it's real and it can happen without even knowing it is.
Read Candice's story
Katie's story

I wake each day to fight the battle

I wake each day to fight the battle, the battle that is recovery from a eating disorder. The same routine, after 8 years you assume it would become easier, more manageable but the reality is that it doesn't.
Read Katie's story
Aurora's story

Anorexia nervosa has this amazing way of warping reality

One of the hardest yet most helpful things for me during my recovery was accepting anorexia as a serious disease. I was so hard on myself, and I felt that I simply had to ‘get a hold of myself.’
Read Aurora's story
Tiffany's story

My story of recovery from a chronic eating disorder that spanned across 27 years.

I am 44 years old and I would like to share my story of recovery from a chronic eating disorder that spanned across 27 years. My hope that is that I can help as many young people as possible not to go through years of pain and anguish, and anyone who has been suffering with a eating disorder for extended period of time that you absolutely can heal yourself and change with the right tools and mindset.
Read Tiffany's story
Caitlin's story

My letter to a sufferer.

First of all honey I want to say how brave you are to take the first, and perhaps hardest step towards recovery - Admitting you have a problem.
Read Caitlin'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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