Case Studies

Case study, contact and research database

Beat has a database of members who have indicated they are willing to talk to medical and media researchers and journalists.  These include case studies and professionals working in the field of eating disorders.

We work with a range of volunteers who are happy to talk in the media about their experiences of eating disorders, including people in recovery, their carers and professionals. If you are interested in talking to one of our media contacts, please call or email us and we will put you in touch with them.

For further information contact:

Mary George

Tel: 0300 123 7061
E-mail: media@b-eat.co.uk

Case study examples

Below are some examples of our volunteers who are willing to talk in the media about their experiences. If you would like to interview them - or any other of our contacts - please email or call us and we will arrange this for you. Our volunteers cover all aspects of eating disorders.

Naomi

British tennis player - recently announced retirement from competetive tennis due to eating disorder and depression. Eating disorder developed after being thrust onto professional circuit at an early age. Now coaching British hopefuls and keen to ensure they don't face the same pressure on the professional circuit.

Annabelle

High achiever Annabelle developed Anorexia aged 15. "Although I still remain unsure as to the direct cause of my eating disorder, I think it was triggered by a combination of a virus resulting in a loss of appetite and severe stomach pains, as well as stress and changes in the family environment." Now fully recovered.

Bea

"My eating problems began at the start of January 2006 and continued until June/July this year. Frequent moves led to not being able to get a job, no way to meet people and feeling isolated at home. Studying Psychology and Sociology. In the past I've had Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therpay and CBT specifically addressing my eating disorder, which informed me of more helpful thought patterns and gave me the knowledge of how to recover from my destructive behaviour in relation to food and my body."

Sarah

Sarah developed Anorexia aged 12. "My fears over food did not develop over a feeling that I was fat; I had always been a very good eater and did plenty of sport to ensure that I had a lovely, healthy figure. My eating disorder began as I wanted to eat healthier foods, questioning which foods were good for me. I started to cook weight watchers meals for myself and my family. I lost weight. I had no idea that this was going to be the beginning of a very long battle with an eating disorder."

Aimee

Anorexia/binge eater. Still struggling - can only work 4 hours a week and is appealing against having benefits stopped.

Jeni

Anorexic from 16 into 20s. Now fully recovered - a happy, healthy married woman. Ran the London Marathon for Beat.

Julie

Anorexic from the age of 28 and still struggling. Has four daughters.

Janet

Recovering from an eating disorder. Twin sister aged 51 died from anorexia.

Sarah

Childhood experiences including a move to a different area and family difficulties contributed to Sarah's eating disorder. She found the change difficult to adapt to and this was compounded by the birth of her youngest sister. Bullied when she went to an all girl's secondary school further reduced her self confidence, coupled with the deaths of two grandparents. Recovering after hospitalisation.

David

Suffered with an eating disorder for over 15 years which made him suicidal. Has been receiving regular therapy. His bulimia has affected his teeth and medication on top of diet pills has damaged his liver. Now a fully qualified therapist in eating disorders.

Matthew

Recovered anorexic, now psychotherapist helping people with eating disorders. Developed eating problems age 10 when family moved to South Africa and he encountered apartheid and daily violence. Turned to food for comfort and became overweight, anxious and bullied. At age of 17 when he left school he started exercising and dieting which got out of hand. Suffered for some time and took a year of careful rehabilitation to regain control of eating and build up weight.

Paul

Recovering from the eating disorder that took over his life for the past 10 years. Came about as a result of being ill while coaching football in the US and not able to exercise. Once recovered exercise became all consuming and started running marathons. Eventually his body couldn't cope and in 2009 he went to seek help. It has taken Paul over a year to get back to a reasonable weight.

John

Bullied from age 8 as overweight - John began exercising excessively at 14 - kept weight steady but as soon as started university lost weight fast and was diagnosed with anorexia. Developed osteoporosis and after inpatient treatment is recovering after 11 years.

Ben

Has been suffering with anorexia for the past five years and receiving routine therapy. "However, it has been impossible for me to perhaps ever acquire inpatient treatment due to the remarkable costs involved. In fact, outpatient therapy has been extremely difficult to persistently have in the last year and I know has financially crippled my family. I often feel that being admitted to an inpatient unit would help my disorder to a greater extent than the constant battles I must face with only outpatient contact and help.

Russell

Now studying eating disorders in men, Russel's suffered from an eating disorder since 14 - his lack of acceptance of body changes during puberty led to his not wanting to become and adult. His eating disorder followed a pattern of bingeing and purging - is currently receiving treatment and recovering.

Ian

A bright, accomplished athlete, Ian lost a grandparent at 15 and began to stop eating which continued until the age of 37 when he decided to accept treatment after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia and a collapsed lung.

Paul

Developed his eating disorder in his 20s when exercising became an obsession, needing to run every day. "The doctor said that if I was a 16 year old girl she would have no hesitation in diagnosing me." Paul received treatment and his weight is back on track.