Real Life Stories
A young person’s story about recovering from an eating disorder
Aiyana, a young person from Bandon, Co. Cork, talks about their story of experiencing an eating disorder, their recovery journey, and how important empathy is when supporting a loved one.
My journey recovering from anorexia
Trigger Warning // This article references eating disorders. Please look after yourself if you choose to read on. Our text support service details are listed below. While reading please keep in mind that everyone’s experience of eating disorders is different and sharing individual experiences serves to offer support to feel less alone. You can read […]
Validated by: Charlie
Why trying to be perfect hurt my self-esteem
For most of my life I’ve described myself as a perfectionist. I’m a high achiever who wants everything I do to be the best it can be. This mindset throughout my life has damaged my self-esteem and confidence in myself. In primary school I was friends with a group of really competitive girls. We were […]
Validated by: Eimer Crowley
How to practise self-compassion
Research shows that people with higher levels of self-compassion tend to be less anxious and depressed. You can learn to practise self-compassion regardless of your current physical or mental health. Whether you’re looking to mind your wellbeing or recover from a stressful event or ongoing mental health difficulty, practising self-compassion can be beneficial. What is […]
Validated by: spunout
How to build new coping skills
Coping is what you do to protect your mental and emotional health when you’re experiencing stress. Everyone has their own ways of coping, and people use different coping strategies depending on the situation they’re in. A coping strategy is a behaviour or a way of thinking that helps you manage stress. Some coping strategies can […]
Validated by: spunout
How to get help for an eating disorder
Suspecting you might have an eating disorder can be frightening and lonely. If you recognise some of the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, you might feel tempted to ignore them or try to avoid the subject altogether. However, it’s important to remember that you deserve empathy and support. Seeking eating disorder treatment can […]
Validated by: spunout
How to practise self-care
Research on how young people practise self-care when in distress is still growing. However, it is clear that many people find relief and enjoyment in self-care activities. Everyone finds different things fulfilling so finding self-care practices that work best for you might require a little experimentation. Self-care is about finding what recharges you and brings […]
Validated by: spunout
How to improve your body image
Having a positive body image is an important part of your overall sense of emotional and mental well-being. You may be uncertain about what it means to have a positive body image, and why it’s important. Here, you will find information on what you can do to improve your body image. In this article, you […]
Validated by: spunout
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that negatively impact a person’s relationship with food and eating, as well as many other aspects of life. They can have a significant impact on your physical, psychological, social and emotional well-being. There is no one cause of an eating disorder; there are many factors, both internal and external […]
Validated by: spunout
