Personal experience

Over many years I have been part of all sorts of different groups - social e.g. Brownies, Youth Club and choirs; and work-related e.g. Early Education Association.  

When my daughter returned home at 21 after a very bad experience of marriage, and became ill with anorexia nervosa, binge/purge type, I had no information let alone support.  She denied all problems – now I know this to be a common feature of eating disorders and other compulsive/addictive problems – and refused treatment despite being skeletal. 

When I asked my GP how I could help my daughter, what I could/should do to help her, and what to try to avoid doing, the response was ‘You know as much as I do.’  It felt like living in a nightmare with no light at the end.  As my daughter was legally an adult, I had no contact with any professional and could find no relevant information to enable me to offer appropriate support on a daily basis.  

Over years now I’ve heard many home caregivers, family members and friends, in similar or very different circumstances, use the same words – living a nightmare with no end in sight.