Helen Flanagan opens up about past anorexia battle on Instagram

Helen Flanagan has been praised as ‘inspirational’ after opening up about her past eating disorder on Instagram

Helen Flanagan selfie

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Helen Flanagan has been busy reading The Goddess Revolution, which promises to help people to make peace with food, love their bodies, and reclaim their lives.

And, taking to Instagram to praise the book, she wrote: “Absolutely love this book written by @iammelwells would genuinely really recommend this book to young girls and women suffering with eating problems/disorders.

“I know I would have found this book very helpful!”

As many fans will no doubt be aware, Helen was diagnosed with borderline anorexia at the age of 15.

She previously told The Sun: “I’ve suffered from anxiety since I was a little girl. I was about 15 when I developed an eating disorder.

“I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder quite a few years ago and used to take tablets to help keep that in check. I also take medication for

bipolar.”

However the soapstar, who joined the cast of ITV’s Coronation Street as a child, felt pressured into giving up her medication when cast members began making spiteful comments about her.

She explained: “One day I was on the Corrie set and a cast member — who was also a friend — joked, ‘Helen Flanagan — she rattles when she walks!’

“It really hurt me. I went home that night and cried my eyes out.

“I stopped taking my medication for a year and a half and didn’t tell anyone. It was the worst thing I could have done.”

Helen emotionally admitted to the publication that she found herself spiralling out of control - and even considered killing herself.

She said: “One day I was driving into the ITV studios and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I just crashed my car now and it was all over?’

“After that I knew I had to quit Corrie and get some help.”

The actress went on to seek counselling, which has helped her to realise that she should never be ashamed of her anxiety.

And the 25-year-old has since found happiness and serenity in motherhood.

Helen Flanagan with her beau, footballer Scott Sinclair

Helen welcomed her firstborn daughter, Matilda, last year with her footballer boyfriend Scott Sinclair - and friends say that starting a family has helped her to boost her confidence.

They told us: “Motherhood has had an amazing effect on Helen, which has seen her really calm down.

“Since having Matilda she’s a different person, she’s gone from being uptight and easily wound-up to really easy-going and chilled out.”

In fact, Helen and the footballer have revealed that they love being parents so much that they’re already thinking about baby number two.

"I definitely want more children as it's just the best thing in the world. Scott seems happy about that too – maybe we'll end up with our own football team!" she told OK! magazine.

"We might give Matilda a brother or sister when she is around two."

We’re so happy to hear that Helen Flanagan is happy and content with her life and herself now.

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