Accredited practising dietitian (APD), and former elite athlete, Tayla, 25, Sunshine Coast, waged a silent battle with anorexia nervosa for six months prior to her diagnosis during a hospital stay at age 15, in June 2016.
Involving physiological and physical symptoms,1,2 anorexia nervosa is a serious and complex illness marked by symptoms such as extreme food restriction, and significant, and often dangerous, weight loss.3
A competitive athlete from nine years of age, Tayla considered dietary changes as representative of her dedication to sport, until small adjustments became strict rules and food avoidance.
Though she sensed something was wrong, Tayla couldn’t pinpoint it, as her relationship with food quietly spiralled out of control. She was diagnosed with anorexia six months later.
After wrestling with anorexia nervosa for six months, Tayla attempted to recover alone, determined to prove she did not require help. Armed with her parents’ support, she avoided visiting a GP. But delaying professional care only worsened her condition.
Now eight years in recovery, Tayla is an APD supporting patients living with eating disorders – a career inspired by her own experience. Though challenging at times, the path has strengthened her relationship with food and further deepened her insight into recovery.
EDGI2 follows the ground-breaking advances made in the initial EDGI investigation and collaborative Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI), in which researchers, including the EDGI team, identified the first eight genes for anorexia nervosa that implicate both psychiatric and metabolic causes for the condition. This was a total surprise and a finding that urgently needs replication and expansion to fully understand the pathways that lead to this debilitating condition – hence the need for a much larger sample size, which is the aim of EDGI2.
Today, Tayla is sharing her story, to raise community awareness and understanding of living with anorexia nervosa, and urge those who are currently affected, to seek help and support.
This is Tayla’s story.
Tayla recounts how her experience as an elite athlete weighed heavily on her body image during her teens.
“I truly thought I was doing the right thing, but my body image was so distorted,” said Tayla.
“I didn’t get my period for two years, but it was dismissed as normal for athletes.
“People said I wasn’t myself. I couldn’t hold a conversation because my mind was always on food and my body,” Tayla said.
She showed anorexia nervosa symptoms for six months before her diagnosis.
“I was constantly tired but blamed it on poor sleep or heavy training.
“I had brain fog, kept falling asleep in class, and couldn’t focus. My mood would fluctuate, but I couldn’t see the link to my health,” said Tayla.
“As time passed by, things got worse. I couldn’t make it through a full day, and started experiencing some worrying symptoms. I was so focused on my goals, I didn’t see how sick I had become.”
Tayla explains how anorexia nervosa compromised her physical, mental and social life.
“I cut off many people during my eating disorder, and my friends were concerned about me. But they also didn’t know how to respond or react to the ever-changing Tayla they once knew.
“At school, I couldn’t finish exams or participate in activities. I lost interest in everything I once enjoyed – all of my hobbies disappeared,” Tayla said.
“Physically, I was very unwell, yet part of me couldn’t see it, despite everyone around me pointing it out.”
Tayla likens living with an eating disorder to a full-time job.
“It was incredibly debilitating. It became my full-time job. It was always on my mind. It took everything from me – physical, mental, and emotional,” said Tayla.
Tayla was unable to fully engage in many aspects of her life due to her disabling eating disorder.
“I had to stop school for treatment for about six months and couldn’t attend classes or sit exams. I felt embarrassed about what was going on. My illness at times kept me from participating in family events or commitments.
“My family had to warn people before visiting our home that the Tayla they had grown up with was navigating a challenging time, and this might be different to what they remembered,” Tayla said.
Tayla credits her mental health team and passion for the beach and sports for her recovery. Today, she shares a powerful message for Australians living with eating disorders.
“Seek help early, even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal. There’s no shame in asking for support or talking about what you’re going through. It’s not something you need to hide.”
To volunteer for, or learn more about the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative 2, head to edgi2.org.au or email edgi2@qimrb.edu.au.
Should you suspect you, or a loved one, may be living with an eating disorder, speak to your local healthcare practitioner without delay, or head to insideoutinstitute.org.au to complete their online screener and assessment, and to access more information and professional support.
Australian professional patient support services offering 24/7 helpline services include:
- Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 334 673
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- LifeLine: 13 11 14
- Men’s Line Australia: 1300 78 99 78
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
ends#
To coordinate an interview with Tayla, please contact:
Kirsten Bruce or Sam Jacobs, VIVA! Communications
M 0401 717 566 | 0422 654 404
T 02 9968 3741 | 0434 799 839
E kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au | sam@vivacommunications.com.au
References
1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth ed 2013.
2. Eating Disorders Victoria. Classifying Eating Disorders 2024 [Available from: https://eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders/what-is-an-eating-disorder/classifying-eating-disorders/].
3. Walsh BT, Hagan KE, Lockwood C. A systematic review comparing atypical anorexia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2023;56(4):798-820.
