Mum of recovering anorexic teen sets up new self help group for eating disorders

Helen Clare 52, told how her teenage daughter was diagnosed with anorexia three years ago.

Helen said: “Thankfully due to the support we have received she is slowly putting it behind her.

“Recently, I have a talk to nurses at King’s Mill Hospital to highlight the illness from a parents perspective.

“It was extremely well received which has prompted me to do something I have wanted to do for a while which is start an eating disorder support group for sufferers and families.

“I am aware that I am not a Doctor and always advise that the GP would be the first person to contact but found on our journey that the support is almost non existent.

“GPs, hospitals and CAMHS do their best but in line with the NHS they are very short of resource and funding.

“Eating disorders are very isolating, it leaves the sufferer and carers lonely and scared so I really feel that I could offer support with everything that I have learned and the mistakes I’ve made along the way.”

Helen told how her daughter collapsed and her GP referred her to the Queen’s Medical Centre.

She had become very thin but had hidden it until her condition had become too serious to hide any longer.

Helen added: “I was taught by medical experts how to support people with anxiety, eating and living in the real world. Our teenagers have such big pressures with things like exams and social pressures and some witll suffer as a result.

It is very specific to individuals - everybody is different - you have to tailor that advice to each patient.

“But anybody of any age can suffer with mental health problems at any time.”

She is working in conjunction with Beat, the UK’s leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf.

Helen intends to hold the sessions at her home on Rannoch Drive, Mansfield on Mondays from 6-8pm.

She can be contacted on [email protected]