As a mum, nothing could have prepared me for the heartbreak of watching my daughter Grace suffer from anorexia.
I felt like I was walking on eggshells every single day — not knowing what to say or do for the best. I was out of my depth, completely helpless. Trying so hard to stay strong for Grace. But I was scared.
And the hardest part? I didn’t know what to do.
There were countless nights spent awake wondering how we would get through another day. It was an incredibly lonely journey - I felt completely lost and isolated.
“I struggled with body image from when I was 8. I remember comparing myself to other girls and feeling like something was ‘wrong’ with me. That voice in my head never stopped — constantly criticising, never letting me feel at peace. When I moved to university, anorexia took over. I thought I was in control — but I wasn’t. The eating disorder was. My whole life revolved around food, fear, and survival. Eventually, I told my mum and we went to the GP. But even then, we didn’t get the help we needed. I was told I might not qualify for treatment because my BMI wasn’t low enough.”
Eating disorders are mental illnesses — not weight disorders.
This is what misunderstanding looks like. And it has devastating consequences.
Watching your child become consumed by an illness you don’t understand is terrifying.
I had to fight for help — begging professionals to take Grace seriously.
Her hospital stay was the most frightening time of my life, I felt completely alone. No parent should have to go through that.
I didn’t realise that the things I was saying — what I thought was encouragement — were making things worse. I didn’t understand the illness.
When Grace was first assessed, we were told she didn’t ‘look like’ someone with an eating disorder. So, we went home.
Weeks later, she was back in hospital on a heart monitor. Eating disorders don’t always look the way people expect. And I wasn’t prepared for how serious it was.
But, when we felt completely alone, Beat was there for us.
Their Helpline and online support gave us something we desperately needed — someone to keep us going during those dark days.
They helped us make sense of what was happening and how to support Grace.
“When I felt like nobody understood what was going on in my mind, Beat was there. They gave me a safe space to talk — without judgement, and to believe that recovery is possible. But you need the right support. Eating disorders lie to you. Recovery gives you your life back."
Our family isn’t alone.
Right now, 3.5 million children, young people and adults in the UK are likely living with an eating disorder — more than ever before.
And too many of them are going unseen, misunderstood, and unsupported.
That has to change. Your support will help Beat to be there for children and families like mine.”
Thank you,
Sarah, Grace’s mum
Please act now. Your gift means we can help those who need support today, and work to answer the urgent questions that could help prevent eating disorders tomorrow.