*Trigger Warning: This article discusses eating disorders in detail*
Too many Irish women grew up with toxic diet culture playing a concerningly big role in their lives.
Many of us felt like we needed to be a certain size, and that being skinny was the only acceptable option. These beliefs tricked us into trying harmful diets and believing in a culture that harmed not only our physical, but mental health.
TV presenter Laura Fox recently opened up to the RTÉ Guide about her own personal struggles in an incredibly honest interview.
"Eating disorders are a disease and I just don’t think they’re given the attention they need in this country.
"They can consume not just one person but they can take the entire family down with them," she said.
The presenter continued: "We all grew up with what diet are you on, how skinny can you get; that was the culture. For five to seven years, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with me, and neither did my friends."
Laura Fox said: "We thought our behaviour was normal."
Society and our peers made us think that eating nothing but Special K was normal. We thought fasting until the afternoon was normal. We normalised the 'heroin chic' trend and guilted others into thinking being above a size 8 was abnormal.
"I had so many health problems: gut issues, losing my periods. It was baby steps for me to stop; it’s so hard to get out of and I’m really lucky I did, I’m so aware that I’m lucky," she said.
As Laura said, eating disorders are not given enough funding in Ireland. Speaking about them in such a frank and incredibly honest way will help raise vital awareness and help others see they're not alone in their own struggles.
Suffering from eating disorders can be such an isolating and harrowing experience. Knowing you're not alone in your struggles can give people a glimmer of hope even in the darkest of times.
An estimated 188,895 people in Ireland will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
If you're suffering from issues like the ones mentioned in this article then you can call Bodywhys Helpline on 01 2107906.
