Read Lauren's real story to find out more about anorexia nervosa, and her recovery.
When I was around nine or ten I had to go to see a psychiatrist and a paediatrician at my local hospital and was told I had a mild form of
anorexia nervosa.
At that point I hadn't even heard of it, let alone understood that I had this illness. So after that I refused to go to the
psychiatrist because I didn't want to talk to someone who didn’t even know me, let alone someone who wanted to know what made me tick.
The worst times
I continued to see the paediatrician, as I was told I had to. I found it really hard at family and school meal times as I would be getting everyone trying to get me to eat more but I just didn't feel hungry at all, so it was really difficult to cope with.
After a about a year attending the appointments with the paediatrician, he told me that if I didn't start eating more I would have to go to hospital and be put on a drip. This really scared me and I broke down when he told me this.
My aunt, who went with mostly all the appointments, took me out of the surgery and took me home. It was awful being told that if you didn't eat, you'd be basically force-fed.
On top of the world
After a few years I was discharged from him after getting up to eight stone. On that day I felt on top of the world because I didn't have to see someone I didn't want to basically see in the first place.
What got me eating more was when everyone basically shut up telling me to eat more and not threatening me but like telling me what would happen if I didn't start eating more.
Now, I am nine stone and doing more things because I have more energy and I’m full of life and, even though I do look a bit pale, I am healthier than when I was about five years ago which is great.
You can beat this too
I want other sufferers to know that they aren't alone and that they can get help from loads of people.
You can beat this and, even though it is hard and I still have a small appetite, I eat a hell a lot more now and it's great.
With the support from family and friends it will get easier once they let you get on with it and not keep on at you. The more they nag, the more you rebel by not eating.
So to families and friends who know someone who is anorexic – stop nagging, they will eat when they are ready.
This story may have been edited for editorial and confidentiality reasons only. 
