Anorexia: A First Hand Account

“We’re afraid for you, Katherine,” were first words I heard from my mother as she peered from the doorway. “Please come in here.”

There was no question in my mind as to what they wanted to discuss. My dad was sitting on the couch. My mother spoke first, “We can’t stick our head in the sand any longer. We have to call this what it is. Katherine, you are anorexic.”

Then my dad sunk his head and placed his hand on my back. “Lord,” he prayed, “Please open Katherine’s eyes to see the lies that she believes.”

Scared and exhausted, I stood up went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. For the first time I saw the mere skeleton that I had become. A mixture of frightening emotions flooded my body, and all that I could do was stoop into a ball and sob. My mother embraced me. “I don’t want to live like this anymore!” I cried. God used their honest words to breathe warm truth over my frozen heart.

I sat privately in our den, opened my Bible and journal, and poured out my heart to God in a fashion that released fears in me that until that moment, I had not admitted to myself. My journal page read, “I’m so scared!” It was not a coincidence that God lead me to Isaiah 55:2: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” His words pierced me.

You may be asking how does a Christian become anorexic? What led me to starving myself didn’t begin with merely the absence of calories and extensive exercising. My body was an outward expression of my spiritually starved heart.

My downward spiral began when I was nine. For many vain reasons I became obsessed with camouflaging myself to blend in - covering also my faith in Jesus Christ.

I worked very hard to be whoever my peers wanted me to be. I studied the lingo, music lyrics, clothes, and behaviors of my friends and mimicked their every move. I can still hear the whispers in my mind: ‘Do you really think that if anybody saw the real you that you’d have any friends? You better be careful, or you’ll lose them.’ Instead of taking in the Truth of Christ, I accepted the empty lies. No matter how skinny I got, my laboring did not satisfy.

It’s been five years since I lay, like a bag of bones, crying out to Jesus - He delivered me. Today, I hunger for His words and continuously ask His Spirit to search my heart. “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you.”(Ephesians 1:18)

I will listen, will you?

Additional Reading
John 15:7, Psalm 139:23, Matthew 5:6

Background Info on Eating Disorders

Eating disorders account for over 3 million women nationwide, and 1 million men. Research suggests that 1% of teen girls between the ages of 10 and 20 are diagnosed with Anorexia; a number that equates to 1 in every 100 girls. In addition, 4% of teen girls - in the same age range - are diagnosed with Bulimia; a number that represents 4 in every 100 girls.

Age at Onset of Illness

• 86% report onset of illness by the age of 20


• 10% report onset at 10 years or younger


• 33% report onset between ages of 11-15


• 43% report onset between ages of 16-20

Duration of Illness

• 77% report duration from one to fifteen years


• 30% report duration from one to five years


• 31% report duration from six to ten years


• 16% report duration from eleven to fifteen years


• It is estimated that six percent of serious cases die


• Only 50% report being cured

Effects of Eating Disorders

• Malnutrition


• Dehydration


• Ruptured stomach


• Serious heart, kidney, and liver damage


• Tooth/gum erosion


• Tears of the esophagus


• Depression


• Low self-esteem


• Shame and guilt


• Impaired family and social relationships


• Mood swings


• Idea of Being Perfect

* Stats provided by: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders and Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.

Written by: Katherine Thompson

Katherine Thompson is a kindergarten as well as Sunday school teacher. God did a miraculous work in her during her sophomore year of college by setting her free from the stronghold of Anorexia Nervosa. He used Christian people around her for guidance; however, what primarily opened her eyes was the power behind His written Word and allowing His Spirit to resonate His truth into her heart.