Make Time To Talk

Owen Carrick - Eating Disorders, Support and Family - 🥑


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Owen opens up about his eating disorder and how his journey with it started. He explains that when he was 15 years old, he went on a diet with his parents because he was medically overweight. The diet wasn't anything drastic, just cutting back on sugary foods, and he also played football and cricket, which helped him lose weight. Within six months, he had lost the weight he needed, and he felt great because he had gone from being the largest kid on the team to one of the most physically fit.

Owen started his journey towards an eating disorder after being sick and losing a considerable amount of weight. He was at a decent weight at this point, but he continued to diet and cut out certain foods from his diet. For example, instead of eating Weetabix for breakfast, he started to skip breakfast entirely. He would walk to the bus stop, which was about 30 minutes away from his house, without any food inside him. He also cut out his light orange juice and any other form of breakfast drink.

As time went on, Owen's disordered eating habits intensified. He would only eat dinner and tea, and he would exercise excessively to try and lose more weight. Owen had taken up running and was going to the gym every night, pushing himself to exercise as much as possible. Despite this, he continued to lose weight and soon reached a point where he began to skip dinner as well.

Owen's mom was extremely worried about him and begged him to eat. In one particularly emotional moment, he recalls sitting in the doctor's office with his mom and being told that he was going to die if he didn't start eating. His mom broke down crying, telling him that he wouldn't make it to Christmas if he continued down this path.

The experience was incredibly difficult for Owen, and he struggled to come to terms with the fact that he had a problem. He realised that he had to try, even if it was just starting with something small like eating a yoghurt or a piece of fruit. It wasn't an instant fix, but he slowly began to make progress and recover from his eating disorder.

Owen opens up about the lack of support he received from his school and friends during his struggle with an eating disorder. He admits to making excuses for his absences from school, telling people that he had football or cricket trials or that his dad needed his help. In reality, he was skipping classes to attend his doctor appointments and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) meetings.

Despite the fact that he was losing weight with the stone every month, the school did not seem to notice or intervene. Owen mentions that he was leaving lessons and people were asking him where he was going, but he just kept making excuses. It was only when his mother accompanied him to a CAMHS meeting that the gravity of the situation became apparent. She broke down in tears, telling him that he was going to die if he didn't start eating. It was a terrifying moment for Owen and one that he says will haunt him for the rest of his life.

Owen, it has been my absolute pleasure to have you on as a guest. You were truly incredible. Your vulnerability, honesty and openness have been so refreshing and I hope people find real value and strength in your videos and this helps and inspires people to get the help they need.

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Make Time To TalkBy Matt O'Neill