'I now go most days without even thinking about my anorexia'

A young person who struggled with anorexia for over ten years is sharing their story of recovery, in a bid to help others.

Jake Ferguson from Cookstown is bravely speaking out to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

The 26-year-old began experiencing symptoms in their mid teens and struggled with anorexia for ten years, before seeking help:

"The biggest thing is just feeling really, really unlovable and worthless.

"This constant feeling of I'm really worthless, I'm really unlovable, I'm really unlikeable as a person and somehow weight loss seems like a way to make me more likeable or make me lovable."

"The anorexia gave me the promise that someday if I lost enough weight I might then feel lovable.

"That's something that you then keep chasing because you can keep losing weight but the anorexia will constantly keep saying just a bit more, just a bit more and then you can stop then you'll feel ok."

In the UK, at least 1.25 million people are living with an eating disorder - at least 1 in 50 people.

Jake received treatment in England and says they are now almost fully recovered.

They want to share their experience to show anyone who may be struggling that there is hope:

"I never really had good mental health since I was a young teenager so I think the therapy helped me in so many ways.

"It's made me feel a lot more confident in myself, it's definitely helped me to know how to handle my emotions in ways, also just made me feel life is a bit more worth living.

"I have a lot more hope about life."

Jake has this message for those who are suffering from an eating disorder:

"No matter how lonely or worthless you feel, you do deserve to get help and that help is possible.

"It doesn't matter how long your eating disorder behaviours have been going on you can get help and you are worth recovery."

Help and support can be found here

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