1. Anorexia A Personal Story

2. Introduction did not develop overnight believes cause is different for every one helpful to write her own story

3. Childhood Was always an outsider Often bullied and switched schools twice Felt worthless Home life was turbulent from 8 th to 12 th grade

4. High School Eventually made friends, but still did not gain full self-confidence Fell in love, but still ate regularly even though looks mattered slightly more Weight was not really an issue because of her petite frame

5. Seventeen…..The Beginning Senior year in high school Was unsure about going to college because of how comfortable she felt at school for the past six years Started to watch weight in April

6. Watching Her Weight Started to watch what she ate and exercise more often Grandfather told her to watch her weight constantly while she was working with him during the summer Felt weight was one of the only aspects of her life which she could completely control

7. Family Troubles Father became ill with cancer and eventually passed away and her mother depended on her through everything Mother lost a lot of weight due to stress and almost competed against her to lose weight

8. Effects of Anorexia Cold all of the time Hungry and empty almost constantly Lightheaded Always tired Thin and easily breakable nails Mood swings Can’t think straight Couldn’t quit because of her mind telling her she would never be able to stop Anorexia and couldn’t imagine a life without it Stopped getting her period in January as a freshman in college

9. Overcoming the Disease Was a gradual but progressive recovery Stopped counting calories Applied for self- help group in fall of sophmore year at college

10. The End Kept her Anorexia a secret for three years Finally told her entire family “For me, it is about feelings and emotions, about showing others who I really am, about accepting who I really am...”