Corinne's Story: anorexia and osteoporosis

Eating disorders are one of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis and broken bones. Many people with anorexia nervosa (and to a lesser extent bulimia nervosa) will have low bone density and consequently reduced bone strength, meaning their risk of breaking a bone is increased. A low body weight in anorexia affects bones in several ways, including reducing hormone levels. While often complex and challenging, focusing on the journey to recovery from an eating disorder is the best way to protect bone health.

We spoke to Corinne Turnbull about her experience of overcoming anorexia, which she developed in her late twenties. Having been diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2009, here, Corinne shares her experience of both conditions, and ultimately, how she felt empowered to live well again.

Signs and symptoms
“From an early age, food became a control method and a way to manage challenging emotions. In my late twenties, I worked in a very senior role in London, which came with a high level of responsibility and pressure. When I found myself made redundant very suddenly, I turned to food to try and regain some of the control I felt I had lost. At that point, restricting my food felt like the only comfort.”

However, as can be the case with many eating disorders and the nature of these complex illnesses, Corinne found her anorexia had taken over.

“It took me down a very dangerous rabbit hole. A lot of the joy went out of my life. Having had a very active social life through work, I stopped wanting to go out and felt very isolated.”

“I had some counselling, some of which was helpful, but as an adult with an eating disorder, I found the support options limited.”

Eight years after the onset of anorexia, Corinne had a bad fall in the street, which caused her back to become very painful. An x-ray showed that her pain was the result of several spinal fractures. It was a difficult time and she continued to struggle with extreme pain for the next nine months. Unaware of it at the time, this was the start of Corinne’s long journey to a diagnosis of osteoporosis and finding the right treatment.

The turning point for seeking help and support for her eating disorder came while Corinne became ill on holiday with stomach problems. “I woke up one day not long after and realised I didn’t want to live like this.”

The path to recovery
After several years, Corinne found a therapist she wanted to work with.

“The therapy helped me realise I needed to make some big decisions about the way I wanted to live. I had lost a decade or more of my life to anorexia. There is no miracle cure, but I realised I could use all that grit and determination I had channelled into the eating disorder into making myself better.”

After relocating to Brighton and changing careers, Corinne describes feeling in control of her life again.

“Through building a society and creating a social network around me, the anorexia lost its power. It was a step into the light.”

For Corinne, re-establishing the important connection between food and social enjoyment was a key part of her recovery. “I wanted to be stronger and go out for dinner with people.”

Speaking up
Finding the right therapy for the eating disorder enabled Corinne to feel stronger in managing and owning her osteoporosis.

“The anorexia had made me unrecognisable to myself. At the time, I didn’t feel comfortable talking about it due to the enormous shame I felt. The turning point for me was making the distinction between me, Corinne and the illness and making that known to people. Eating disorders affect people across the whole of society and, like osteoporosis, aren't selective. Learning to be compassionate to myself about my anorexia allowed me to be compassionate to myself about my osteoporosis. Speaking up about both conditions and acknowledging the link between them is critical.”

A bright future
In a similar way to living well long-term with osteoporosis, Corinne has developed strategies to maintain her eating disorder recovery. “Recognising feelings or potentially vulnerable times is part of ongoing self-management.”

Through treatment, exercise and good nutrition, Corinne’s recent scans have shown improvements in her bone density.

As well as enjoying a full and active professional and social life, Corinne is also a Patient Advocate with the ROS Osteoporosis and Bone Research Academy, helping to shape the charity’s research priorities, and most importantly, reflect patients’ voices.

Information and support
For more information on eating disorders as a risk factor associated with osteoporosis, please see here or contact our Helpline to speak to one of our specialist nurses.

For help and support about eating disorders, please contact your healthcare professional. You can also contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity for information and guidance: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/contact-us/

Beat’s Helplines

England
• Helpline: 0808 801 0677
• Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Scotland
• Helpline: 0808 801 0432
• Email: Scotlandhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Wales
• Helpline: 0808 801 0433
• Email: Waleshelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Northern Ireland
• Helpline: 0808 801 0434
• Email: NIhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Do you have a story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your life with osteoporosis.