Brie Larson opens up about having 'every eating disorder that's possible' in YouTube video

'I have gone through many different experiences in terms of self love of my body'
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Megan C. Hills2 October 2020

Brie Larson celebrated her 31st birthday on Thursday with a new YouTube video, in which she talked about her journey and the difficulties she’s faced along the way. As the award-winning actor shared a look into her life during lockdown, she opened up about her life and revealed that she “probably had every eating disorder that’s possible” in the past.

Larson, who launched her YouTube channel during the pandemic, took her viewers into her closet as she sorted what she was going to donate to various charities. As she organised clothing piles, she said, “I have gone through many different experiences in terms of self love of my body. I’ve probably had every eating disorder that’s possible.”

Although Larson did not name any specific eating disorders, she said, “Why? Body dysmorphia and a sense of control, I guess?”

Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition where a “person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance” and can lead to depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts according to the NHS.

For Larson, her chest was a major source of “discomfort” for her and that she had wanted it to be “different” - even wearing sports bras that were a size too small to compress her breasts. Calling them “embarrassing”, she continued, “At least for me, it felt like [breasts] drew attention to myself...I just didn’t want people looking at me.”

She also earlier in the video discussed how she was “caught up” as a result of “growing up in an industry that is just filled with images of people who are rare exceptions of what human beings look like.”

Invision/AP

Larson said she had also “overcome” depression and social anxiety, saying, “I don’t have those issues anymore and if you’re out there and those are things that you struggle with, I hope that you know that this is stuff that can be totally overcome.”

“Life is a freaking journey folks, there’s a lot of ways to spin out and a lot of ways to get help,” she continued.

Getty Images

Larson asserted that she now has “a lot of love for myself, even in the struggle of it, even in the pain” now as a 31 year old and that she’s since learned to take “ownership of myself.” The Captain Marvel actor ended her video by urging her fans to register to vote in the US in the upcoming election.

According to UK-based organisation Beat, an estimated 1.25 million people in the UK live with an eating disorder in 2020. Research shared by NEDA also reports that over 30 million people in the US will suffer from an eating disorder and that 70% of those affected “will not seek treatment due to stigma.”

For those looking for support with an eating disorder, Beat operates a series of helplines: a general helpline at 0808 801 0677, a studentline at 0808 801 0811 and a youthline at 0808 801 0711. Their helpline is open everyday between 9am-8pm in the week and 4pm-8pm on weekends and bank holidays.They also provide additional resources including online support, as well as advice for both those living with eating disorders as well as their loved ones here.

You can also find out where your nearest support center through the NHS here and the NHS advises those living with eating disorders to visit their GP. The Samaritans also operate a 24/7 hotline at 116 123 for those seeking mental health support.

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