former anorexia sufferer and Beat ambassador Hannah el Ayadi

Hannah El-Ayadi, of Barking, was diagnosed with anorexia two years ago. The 17-year-old has recovered and acts as an ambassador for the eating disorder charity Beat, for whom she mans helplines and holds presentations in schools. She attends the Brit school of performing arts and has performed at the O2 Arena last year.

You can contact her by emailing hannah_star@hotmail.co.uk.

“I developed an eating disorder at 15, I didn’t really have a reason but from the therapy I take it seems that certain personality traits make eating disorders more likely.

“I am I perfectionist. When I start things I like to finish them and do them perfectly.

“I think the media does influence slightly but it’s not a big thing. I didn’t look at pictures of models – it’s a mental illness.

“It took a lot to want to get better but I had good reasons. I was part of a youth theatre group and I got asked to leave as I was not healthy enough.

“I attend the Brit School and in June last year I was nearly hospitalised. They threatened that I’d have to take a year out. I didn’t as I was about to take my GCSEs, but it would have affected my application.

“I missed out on what I really loved. It’s really ironic, I thought it was making me perfect but it was just making everything worse.

“I had so many opportunities but I wasn’t able to perform.

“Physical side effects I’d say were bad circulation, always being cold, headaches, depression and mood swings. I felt detached from reality.

“You could sit in a room with friends and your brain would stray. Your mind would focus on calories and weight, you become emotionally blank. Luckily my friends were supportive, but not everyone will be.

“If someone is currently suffering – if not a doctor a friend or family – tell someone. They need to realise that those voices in their head are not friends and will not make them happy or perfect, they will affect their health.

“Some people want an eating disorder because they think it’s glamorous. It’s not. It’s a mental illness and can disable you for the rest of your life.

“My life is so much better now. I’m happier, more sociable, my singing and dancing has improved. I’m healthier and more positive about the future. I’ve got lots of recent achievements that I’ve only achieved through recovery.”

This article features as part of the Post campaign Choose Your Future.