Exploring the impact of eating disorders on families

Bradley’s new documentary to air on RTE

By focussing on the personal struggles of people and their families living with anorexia, Alan Bradley hopes his latest documentary pressures the authorities into addressing the shortfall in treatment.

‘Anorexia, My Family and Me’ will air on RTÉ next week, offering a deeply personal look at the realities of living with this most serious mental health condition.

With an almost 20pc increase in the number of people using the support services offered by Bodywhys- the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland- last year, Alan rightly regards it as an “urgent” documentary.

The programme follows the unfolding stories of three Irish families impacted by a loved one’s struggle dealing with anorexia.

“It was a tough one to make because we were with the families while they were going through having anorexia. Sometimes when we are making things like this, people are more so in recovery, whereas with this we were actively with them” observes the Virginia man. “So it was tough.”

Amongst the people viewers are introduced to in the film, is 16-year-old Josh Poole-Willams and his Wicklow family.

Alan describes Josh as “super intelligent” and “clued in”.

“He’s a really interesting character - really well read, he’s quite philosophical loads of deep thoughts about the world, life and people.

“He is really kind as well. He was always worried that we would be okay after filming, rather than worried about himself, so he’s a great guy.”

Alan admits it was a difficult decision to put a vulnerable teenager on screen.

“We spent a lot of time trying to get that right, we worked very sensitively with the family, and very gently. So we filmed over a long period of time,” he said.

“As it turned out, for quite a large chunk of the production window, Josh was in hos

pital as an in-patient, which we didn’t foresee when we started filming. That’s where we spent more and more time with his Mum Jenny, his Dad Ray and his sisters and saw the impact it had on them too because they were trying to get it sorted.”

The challenges parents face in obtaining help for their children are revealed in this segment as Jenny tirelessly works to secure treatment for Josh as he loses weight.

“It takes a big toll on the family. The family are a big support in a person’s recovery, but obviously that poses real challenges for families when they are trying to juggle normal life and everything else that happens in a family and then this on top of it adds a real strain - so we got a real insight into that through the Poole-Williams family.”

Alan happily reports that Josh, who recently turned 17, is improving.

“He’s doing a little bit better now, which is really positive to see. I would be very hopeful for his future, he’s got a great future ahead of him.”

If you think of people likely to suffer from an eating disorder, a dad in his 40s probably wouldn’t spring to mind.

For Alan, that commonly held misconception was reason enough to follow the story of Séan Blake from Swords.

Father of four Séan has battled anorexia for over a decade, and also manifested in him developing an addiction to running.

“I think a lot of people will be surprised by his story,” says Alan.

“Eating disorders can happen to everybody - it’s a misconception that it’s only teenage girls’ problem, or a problem that happens to women, when actually research shows it happens across the board - all ages, all genders.”

The importance Alan places on this issue can be seen in the fact that his 2021 documentary ‘Unspoken’ focused on the male experience of eating disorders.

According to Alan it weighed on Séan’s mind how his struggles with anorexia would impact his children.

He surmises that it was this concern that likely persuaded Séan to get the life-saving help he desperately needed.

“His kids were a big factor in him getting help and pushing through to recovery and he’s doing great now. He’s absolutely flying it,” Alan reports.

The documentary also features 36-year-old Amanda and her mother Doreen.

Amanda’s condition is so entrenched that she is often on the verge of hospitalisation, offering a stark reminder of the life-threatening nature of the disorder.

“Her story is really tough,” acknowledges Alan.

“Amanda is still living with quite severe anorexia, and that’s really, really difficult.

“Surprisingly filming with her was a great laugh because she is really upbeat and very quick witted.

“But Amanda’s story is a tough one and will stick with people afterwards because it is harrowing really.”

In addition to insights from leading experts, the documentary includes narration by BBC presenter Angela Scanlon.

“I thought Angela would be perfect because she herself has lived with an eating disorder, so I thought she would really understand the perspective of the contributors, so we reached out to her agent and she watched it and agreed right away, which was really lovely.

“And what was also lovely was we offered Angela a fee and she donated her fee to Bodywhys. She is super and did a lovely job.”

He acknowledges that eating disorders is a difficult topic as a viewer and he hopes Angela’s participation will help encourage more people to watch it.

“That’s what I’m hoping, she will bring a new audience to it hopefully.”

The documentary explores the systemic barriers that make it difficult for many to get the treatment they need.

“There is a huge shortfall, and there was a shortfall when we made ‘Unspoken’.

“It’s depressing to see that - while things have got a little bit better perhaps with resources and care available - but it’s nowhere near where it needs to be at.

“There are only three beds available in the entire country for inpatient eating disorder care. And those three beds are in the St Vincent’s catchment area of Dublin, so there are no other beds available in the country provided by the HSE.

“It’s just appalling, and we have to do better than that,” regards Alan.

“GPs have gotten better in the last few years and are acting faster in referring on, but the reality is it is very very difficult to access care for most people unfortunately.”

Alan says that Bodywhys offer great advice and urges anyone with relevant concerns to contact their GP and or Bodywhys: (01) 2107906.