Why did 15-yr old Liv have to die?

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In the dark ages of the 1950s, I narrowly escaped death from an undiagnosed disease now known as the most lethal of all mental illnesses, anorexia nervosa. I was fifteen, exiled from my family, and blamed for my illness.

It is tragic that in the so-called enlightened 21st century, a young Australian girl recently lost her life to this still misunderstood disease. Even with today’s specialist Eating Disorder Centres and increased knowledge of this illness, young lives are still being lost due to ignorance and insensitivity to those suffering anorexia.

The government said an expert panel was also working on a set of recommendations that would see $50 million of the package spent on research grants.

Health Minister Mark Butler said it was “in response to the recent decline in the mental health of children and the rise in self-harm and eating disorders”.

Hospitals ill-equipped, father blamed

After losing his youngest daughter, Mr Evans said it was clear that the services set up to help Liv were inadequate to deal with the magnitude and complexity of the issue.

He added that the hospital was often a traumatising place for people with an eating disorder.

“[Liv] probably spent about 80 to 90 per cent of her time in the last two years in the hospital and a lot of that time was strapped to a bed with six-point restraints.”  Mr Evans said.

“So, chemically and physically restrained and force-fed with the tube, then there are hours of screaming afterwards.”

“She already had a fragile sense of self … and you know, words matter and a series of words from others manifested themselves in a way that was even more depreciating on her self worth,” Mr Evans said.

“It’s horrible to watch, and look, if we knew everything we know now … I think, definitely some of the treatment would have been different, and perhaps she would still be here. But it’s that highly toxic negative self talk that really just wore her down day after day.

“My daughter’s not here now because of harmful comments. But also because she didn’t have the skills to be able to express the pain that she was going through so we could help.”

“She became so entrenched in her disorder that she didn’t want to go on. She didn’t see a purpose.”

Read Liv’s story, and ask yourself what you would have done if she were your daughter:

— Read on www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-29/dead-at-15-heartbroken-loved-ones-speak-about-eating-disorder/102403314

If you or someone you know needs help:

  • Butterfly National Helpline — 1800 33 4673
  • Eating Disorders Families Association — 1300 195 626
  • Eating Disorders Victoria — 1300 550 236
  • Eating Disorders Qld — 07 3844 6055
  • Professionals Credentialed in Eating Disorders
  • Lifeline on 13 11 14
  • Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
  • Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800
  • MensLine — 1300 78 99 78

He added that the hospital was often a traumatising place for people with an eating disorder.

“[Liv] probably spent about 80 to 90 per cent of her time in the last two years in the hospital and a lot of that time was strapped to a bed with six-point restraints.”

Categories: A Dangerous Daughter, ANOREXIA NERVOSA

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