'I get upset because of what I put my family through': Former Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten breaks down in tears as she talks about having an eating disorder at age 10
Former Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten has said living with an eating disorder is one of the ‘biggest heartbreaks’ in life, as she opened up about her personal struggle during an appearance on Wednesday’s edition of Lorraine.
Speaking to host Fiona Phillips ahead of Eating Disorder Awareness Week next week, the soap star talked about her 13 year battle with anorexia.
The 31-year-old soon became emotional after seeing the opening images of her when she was younger, later explaining: ‘I think seeing those pictures, to be honest I haven't seen those in five or six years and wow, it brings back a lot of memories.
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'I get upset because of what I put my family through': Gemma Oaten has opened up about her personal struggle with an eating disorder during an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of Lorraine
‘I was petrified of starting school because I was being bullied. But here I am today and it's down to this wonderful woman my mum, and my dad who is backstage.’
Gemma was joined on the sofa by her mother Marg Oaten, who has set up eating disorder helpline Seed.
The British star revealed she was only 10 when she first became ill after the negative comments at school affected her self esteem.
Candid confession: Speaking to host Fiona Phillips ahead of Eating Disorder Awareness Week next week, the former Emmerdale actress talked about her 13 year battle with anorexia
Troubled childhood: The actress was diagnosed with the disorder when she was 10 years old
Her support: Gemma was joined on the sofa by her mother Marg Oaten, who has set up eating disorder helpline Seed
Heartbreaking: The 31-year-old soon became emotional after seeing the opening images of her when she was younger, later explaining, ‘I think seeing those pictures, to be honest I haven't seen those in five or six years and wow, it brings back a lot of memories'
‘It's such a weird thing to go through at that age, I didn’t know what was happening,' she confessed. 'It wasn’t until my mum and dad sat me down and said, “Gem this isn't you, this isn't the bubbly girl we know”.
‘This is what anorexia and many mental health illnesses do to young children. It strips away the person they once was and it makes them a shell.’
Asked by Fiona if she tried to control her eating because she couldn’t control the bullies, Gemma replied: ‘It’s a mental health illness I couldn’t control what people were saying or doing but I could do this. I don’t think people realise the magnitude of the size of the demon inside of you.’
'It's such a weird thing to go through at that age': Gemma revealed she was only 10 when she first became ill after the negative comments at school affected her self esteem
Huge praise: She explained, 'But here I am today and it's down to this wonderful woman my mum, and my dad who is backstage’
Her past: Her mother revealed, ‘In 1994 when she was 10 we started noticing a difference in her eating habits, She was scrutinising everything she was eating'
Speaking out: Asked by Fiona if she tried to control her eating because she couldn’t control the bullies, Gemma replied, ‘It’s a mental health illness I couldn’t control what people were saying or doing but I could do this'
Gemma’s mum, Marg, added: ‘It’s a given that it has a profound psychological effect on anybody who is part of their life. For us it was the isolation.
‘This is where so many people will need the help, they’re desperate. We’ve been there, we’ve done that journey. I don’t think anything can prepare you for the fact your daughter might not make this.’
Speaking about her regrets, Gemma admitted: ‘That's one of my biggest heartbreaks and probably why I get upset because of what I put my mum and my dad and my siblings through.
‘I think what we want to try and say is that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and people will look at me and mum, and our family unit and see that we went to hell and back but we did it.’
Doing her thing: Gemma talked about her past ahead of Eating Disorder Awareness Week next week
Beaming: She appeared to be in great and relaxed spirits following her TV appearance
Feeling happy: Flashing a glowing smile, the star happily stopped and posed for photos
Not alone: Gemma was also joined by her mother during the TV appearance
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