I was in my final year of high school (1989) when first diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. I soon had the first of many admissions. Despite this, I was able to complete the Higher School Certificate and Bachelor of Economics from university. I worked in this field for a short time until I became too sick to continue.
I have subsequently had numerous hospital admissions, have attended many day programs, contributed to focus groups and pilot programs none of which have produced meaningful change. I have become increasingly frustrated and scared about the lack of appropriate treatment for older adults and chronic cases like myself.
I hope that by sharing my story I can reduce the common misconceptions about chronic eating disorders, the stigma around the illness, and help to attract funding to improve the conditions in how adults with long-term eating disorders are treated. We need treatments that create care and confidence.
Labelled a waste of resources and incurable – where else can an adult with an eating disorder go?
What would you say if you learned a chronic illness was spreading silently through the population, affecting some of the country’s best and brightest people? Hospital beds are scarce, waiting lists are growing longer, and people are getting sicker. Some people are dying while they wait. Would you consider this acceptable? Or would you call..