Teenager's poems about anorexia read around the world

Kyle Carter and his family lived through difficult years when he was struggling with anorexia

Eating disorders ruined years of Kyle Carter's life, starting when he was just 11 and bullies at school mocked his weight.

He spent years in hospital refusing to eat, including more than a year in a specialist residential unit, miles away from his family in South Shields.

Now 17 and in recovery, he reaches out to other people with the illness all over the world, writing poems and messages on Facebook to help them feel less alone.

Kyle, who is from South Shields, first started showing symptoms of anorexia when he was at primary school.

As the illness progressed he often had to be restrained by medical staff and fed through a tube. He was at one point sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

His parents found the condition difficult to cope with:

A family photo shows the weight loss in Kyle's face

In the end, Kyle found that, to some extent, his recovery was within his control.

He decided to start eating after deciding he could no long keep up the fight with medical staff, trying to help him.

It was not easy, but he is now at home and restarting his life, from college courses to driving lessons.

He uses his experiences to counsel four or five other people over the internet, from countries as far afield as China and Norway.

He also manages and contributes to support groups on Facebook, posting his poems as motivation for other people with eating disorders.

"It is a very lonely illness," he said. "Sometimes it is nice to reach out to someone and say: you're not alone. I am here for you."

Kyle Carter supports several other people with eating disorders

Struggling with an eating disorder?

NIWE Eating Distress Service (formerly Northern Initiative on Women and Eating): A North East charity providing support and signposting, including a telephone helpline, support meetings, training and information.

  • Contact: 0191 221 0233 or [enquiries@niwe.org.uk](mailto: enquiries@niwe.org.uk)

Beat: A national charity providing helplines, online support and UK-wide self-help groups.

  • Adult helpline (for anyone 18 and over): 0845 634 1414. Monday to Thursday 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Email help@b-eat.co.uk

  • Youthline (for those 25 and under): 0845 634 7650. Monday to Thursday 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

  • You can also text the Youthline on 07786 20 18 20. Email: fyp@b-eat.co.uk

Men Get Eating Disorders Too: A national charity providing support specific to the needs of men with eating disorders.

  • Website: http://mengetedstoo.co.uk/