You are NOT your Eating Disorder.

You say “you are not your eating disorder”—what was the moment you truly

believed that yourself?

I realised this some time ago. Somewhere in between my recovery from anorexia nervosa when I was 16 and when I was diagnosed with A-typical anorexia at the age of 40. There was a long time in between where my eating disorder was relatively dormant. An ED started to grab a hold of me almost 3 years ago, and I only realised this about 2 years ago when I was 39. When I had the realisation that an ED was present in my life again, I started to think about how best I could navigate this. A big part of me wanted to keep losing weight. I had to keep reminding myself that, hey, I am so much more than just that part of me that wants to be thin. I am Kate, I am a strong, together, 39-year-old – with a good career and good family and friends and an amazing partner – this doesn’t actually change – regardless of the number on the scales. None of that goes away – the number on the scales is an obsession – but it is not who I am at my core. Remembering that was huge. Still…. It took me another year before I started to really address the A-typical anorexia – with seeking professional help. But I knew… and I know… that an ED is a part of me…. Not a good part…. But just a part…. And the importance of recognising this in ED recovery is paramount. When I was recovering from anorexia in my teens, I don’t think I really grasped this truth, as I was still discovering who Kate was…. I recovered, but I didn’t have the insight that I have now that I am a lot older. That insight… is extremely valuable – and a big part of what makes this book so special.