Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten, who plays Rachel Breckle, appeared on Loose Women on Thursday where she opened up on her horrific eating disorder battle that left her 24 hours from death.
Speaking to hosts Nadia Sawahla, Kaye Adams, Kelle Bryan, and Jane Moore, Gemma stressed the importance of not judging whether somebody has an eating disorder based on their weight.
She explained: “I was ten years old and in hindsight I realise it was down to the bullying, I couldn’t control what people were saying or doing to me but I could control what went inside me, but I didn’t know that, I didn’t know what anorexia or an eating disorder was.
“My parents took me to the doctor because they recognised the warning signs, god love them, but the doctor turned me away and said I wasn’t low enough in weight to have a problem.
“Cut to a year and a half later, I was admitted to a children and adolescent’s psychiatric unit and told that if I didn’t eat or drink within 24 hours I would be dead.
(Image: ITV)
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“And thus began the 13 year narrative of my life, battling, fighting for my life with an eating disorder.”
She added: “Early intervention is key when it comes to eating disorders, waiting for the weight to change isn’t going to change what is already there, we have got to stop trying to treat a mental health illness by looking at physical attributes.”
Speaking about her own recovery, Gemma explained: “The turning for us was when mum and dad started talking to me. Me as a human being, as their daughter and as Gemma.
(Image: ITV)
“When it comes to reaching out, an eating disorder loves confrontation.
It’s heartbreaking and touch to hear but its so important that its much deeper rooted than just weight loss.
“The heartbreaking thing for me which I remember the most is when my dad said my daughter became a shell of her former self and was in a prison and there were no bars but I couldn’t get her out.”
(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Host Kaye was forced to cut Gemma off so she had to quickly make her final point, and said: “Just quickly, we didn’t touch on binge eating and bulimia.
“I really want people to know that there is no stigma or shame attached to that, more and more people are struggling with it at the moment and they must reach out and get help.
“Speaking is so key – you have nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about.”
*You can talk in confidence to an adviser from eating disorders charity Beat by calling their adult helpline on 0808 801 0677 or youth helpline on 0808 801 0711.
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV at 12.30pm