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Interview with Taya Murdoch

 

Recovering inspiration Taya was generous enough to reflect on some of her recovery experience with me in the hopes her words might support someone struggling in recovery right now.


How would you describe where you’re at now in recovery?

I wouldn’t consider myself fully recovered but I am in a place where I am comfortable with all aspects of life and I am comfortable with the way I look


What are three things you have learned about yourself/the world in recovery?

It is ok to ask for help. I have learned it has been easier to talk about my emotions and struggles rather than bottle it up. I think a part of my recovery is just that. Before, I didn’t understand mental health. I didn’t know how much goes on behind the scenes to helping someone and now I have another level of respect for it. And have learnt that mental health is so broad!


If you could go back to talk to yourself at the beginning of recovery what would you tell that version of you?

To just trust the process. And that everything will be ok at the end of it. I’d tell myself to trust the treatment team and be more relaxed.


What are some things that were helpful in recovery?

Therapy sessions – opening up and communicating with other people was really helpful. Getting up and trying to make the most of the day – not staying in bed and being upset and depressed, but getting my brain moving. Such an amazing treatment team was incredibly helpful in recovery. To have them there was so supportive, I’m so thankful for this.


Why do you think you were able to make progress in recovery?

Before I went into recovery I was very closed off from opening up and expressing the feelings of my ED. I think the reason I have done well is that recovery allowed me to open up and express my feelings which allowed me to talk to family and friends about my ED.


3 words to describe your ED?

Scary
Lonely
Acceptance


Are there any gifts/ lessons that you are grateful for from your ED experience?

I’m grateful it has made me a stronger person. I’m grateful it hasn’t made me secretive – coming out of my ED has allowed me not to be secretive and allowed me to be open.


What do you think is commonly misunderstood about EDs?

The stigma is that people tend to think it is attention seeking and relies around girls wanting to look a certain way to impress someone rather than appreciating it is actually a very serious disorder than controls our brain. When people say ‘just eat’ they don’t understand.


If you could give a message to someone going through an ED right now what would you say?

  • Be patient

  • Trust the process

  • Have trust in your treatment team

  • Don’t give up – there’s so many opportunities out there even if it doesn’t feel like there is right now there is always light at the end of the tunnel

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