Giulia's Story

I’d rather be stereotypical instead of a statistic

My name is Giulia, and I was diagnosed with Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), Depression and Anxiety in 2013.

It makes sense that I’m feeling overwhelmed right now about sitting down and writing about my experience; I have tried my best to push out most of my memories from 2011 to 2017.

My Eating Disorder sucked every significant part of my life dry. Whether it was my relationships, sleep, my love for Netball and most importantly; my relationship with food.

It seems the deeper I got sucked into the disorder, the less joy those things bought me. I think I’m better equipped at life having gone through an Eating Disorder, to be honest. Because hey Giulia, I don’t think this problem today is as bad as the time that you could have died, right?

I didn’t let the disorder suck my life dry, but it took a hell of a lot to build it back up again. Friendships have had to be rebuilt over these last couple of years, but it was worth every step I took to rekindle with those who my eating disorder made me leave behind.

My relationship with food is an ongoing saga, but I have been enjoying learning how to eat intuitively for the first time in my life. I’m happily recovered for three years now. I study full time, work in retail part-time, enjoy eating out and shop online excessively. I know I sound like a stereotypical 20-something year old. But to be honest, I’d rather be stereotypical instead of a statistic any day.