Guest Speaker Series # 3 - Juliet Whitaker

I am super happy to give you all another speaker to this blog, a lovely young woman I met through Instagram - Juliet. I have followed and seen her journey for some time now; through her University degree and becoming a registered dietitian, to addressing her ongoing chronic mental illnesses, and now learning a new way of life after a recent diagnosis of Type I Diabetes (as an adult). I invited Juliet to share her rather unique journey of her recovery, being a dietitian with an Eating Disorder, as well as having Type I diabetes and the impact this has had on the way she lives - I am so glad that she was willing to take me up on the offer.

Before we get stuck in, let me just say one thing. These guests are given the opportunity to share their version and perspective of their story. I offer and provide this ability to those who - from my opinion - have a story worth sharing, and am sorry if you disagree. The thing about all people, is that not everyone will like us, and everyone will have a different opinion and experience with a person. Mental illnesses can bring out the worst in people, and that may have been the person you experienced - that is the nature of the beast. I was horrid when I first began recovering; an absolute selfish, oblivious, deviant, and rude person to many of those who I truly loved and cared for. However, I wasn't able to see this until recently... until someone prompted me to think back to that time and the 'oh sh*t' lightbulb turned on.

Here is the interview, enjoy.

Could you share a bit about your personal struggles with mental health, and the illnesses you suffer from?

Sure! I am diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and Anxiety; both of these date back a long time, I’ve struggled with symptoms of both since childhood/early adolescence. Mental health issues seem to run in my family, my Mum has depression and both my brother and I have anxiety, and we have all utilised medication and therapy to manage these.

In terms of my current struggles, my anorexia is the biggest struggle. I recently spent five weeks in an inpatient facility which specialises in eating disorders, which helped stabilised things and has meant I can return to work part time, and just generally “engage” with the world and people in it more effectively. I still have a long way to go, but I’ve improved compared to where I was in January; inpatient undoubtedly saved my life.

How did you find studying nutrition at University? Did you feel this decision was impacted on by your mental illness?

I absolutely loved it. In fact, I’m currently in the process of figuring out whether to go back to university and continue to pursue it (shhhh!)

Yes, my anorexia was a contributing factor in my decision to study nutrition, but my degree also impacted my eating (interestingly, in a positive way). My dietitian while I was at uni once said to me in the middle of a big relapse that “you’ve lost too much weight, but I have to give you credit because you’ve lost it in the “healthiest way possible” given the circumstances.” - so I guess in that sense it helped me, I avoided fads and “silly” diets because I had a base knowledge of the relationship between food and health.

One other thing worth noting is that being under the nutrition department for my studies, all the staff were always incredibly ‘switched on’ and supportive when I was struggling. I’m endlessly grateful to them!

How did you cope and manage being diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, while balancing an eating disorder?

Honestly? I didn’t cope.

I hit rock bottom around a year after diagnosis and ended up in hospital several times and eventually in inpatient treatment. It’s been two and a half years since I was diagnosed and it is still a daily struggle. Illness acceptance is not a quick nor easy process, and has required a lot of therapy (and still needs more!) to even begin to get my head around life with a chronic illness.

How have you found the adult mental health system?

For the most part, good. As with any service, there are people you ‘gel’ with and people you don’t. I’ve had the privilege to have been able to engage in private therapy in the past and I think that and my current therapist are the people I’ve had the most success with. It can be a case of shopping around and finding what works for you (psychology vs psychotherapy, male vs female, public vs private) - it may take trying a few people before you settle into one!

In terms of the adult mental health system I think it’s important to realise that you WILL have to advocate for yourself. If you want a certain type of help, you’ll need to ask for it, it won’t come to you, and once you are engaged there is a whole lot of hard work that has to ‘come from you’ as an adult. Specifically for eating disorders, often the criteria for inpatient/outpatient treatment is a lot more ‘unwell’ so managing yourself outside of hospital/treatment is important, because as an adult, services will not scoop you up and save you in the same way child/adolescent services do.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Express yourself.

Talk to people, don’t hold everything in. My family are not great communicators especially when it comes to mental health; I wish I’d changed that and been more open when I was younger and struggling. Who knows how different my life would be now!

Lastly: not every burden is yours to carry. You carry the world on your shoulders when you don’t need to. Take time for YOU. Prioritise yourself now and again, make self-care a non-negotiable.

What quote or phrase do you live by, and would tell others who are struggling with their health and wellbeing?

“Wherever you are, be all there.”

I am not a believer in a half-assed effort. If you want something, whether that be change, growth, or anything else, you have to go for it. Throw yourself at it and you’ll be surprised how far you can go!

Anything else?

I think I’d just like to stress, as much as I possibly can, that this is NOT glamorous. It’s true that eating disorders bring a certain sense of euphoria with them (at least at first) however there is no euphoria associated with being a twenty-something year old who’s lost friends, relationships, jobs, money, study, life experiences, and long periods of life in general, to this illness.

If you’re struggling, seek help, seek it early and seek it relentlessly.

Ask for what you need, as often as you need it. You deserve to be happy and healthy, and to be cared for and valued. Don’t overlook that; EVERYONE is entitled to a life they enjoy and value, no matter their past or current situations and struggles.

Once again, thank you so much Juliet for sharing your story. It takes strength to be truly open, honest, and transparent in your journey, experiences, and thoughts. There is something rather invigorating and powerful in doing so - and I am so delighted that this platform is becoming what is all - all with the help of you.

Have something you wish to share? Get in touch@ I would love to hear from you!

Until next week; take care, look after one another, and for goodness sake - look after yourself.

Your friend,

Rawing Meg, xx