Artist Christie Begnell's striking illustrations show the reality of battling an eating disorder
- Ciara McGinley
- Mar 6, 2017
- 2 min read
Warning: some of the images below may be upsetting to readers who have struggled with an eating disorder.
Artist Christie Begnell has been hitting the headlines this week for her striking illustrations documenting her eating disorder and road to recovery.
The 24-year-old Australian, who was originally told she was “not sick enough” to receive help for her eating disorder, began writing and drawing as a way to cope with her frustration.
She told the Huffington Post: “I used it as a way to separate my healthy self from my disordered self and that was so very important."
Bengnell put pen to paper and created Ana, short for anorexia, a character who represented her eating disorder and can be spotted in a lot of her illustrations.
Speaking to Buzzfeed Begnell said: “The key is to not let what is happening in your head stay in there. The more we talk about our problems and seek help and advice, the more stigma is broken down.”
On her website Begnell explained that the images gave her family a “whole new level of understanding” of how she was feeling and what she was experiencing.
Through her illustrations Bengell encourages men and women to love their bodies, raising awareness for men battling eating disorders as well as stressing that just because someone doesn't look ill it doesn't mean they do not have an eating disorder.
She also lists her hopes for the future as reasons why she wants to recover which include graduating, travelling the world, loving your reflection, making new friends and becoming a parent.
Begnell has now created a book full of her illustrations called Me and My Ed.
Writing on Instagram Begnell said that the images have not only helped her and others with understanding their illness but have also helped those around them understand “how difficult it is to live with a demon in your mind”.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder please call the National Eating Disorder Association, a free and confidential helpline, on 1-800-931-2237
Comentarios