Ex-Emmerdale star: I was denied care for anorexia. No others should suffer the hell I had to endure

ACTRESS Gemma Oaten says she contemplated suicide and lost 13 years of her life after she was classed not thin enough for clinical help for her anorexia. Now the former Emmerdale star, who was turned away from a clinic as a schoolchild aged 10, is backing a campaign to outlaw treatment decisions based on weight alone.

The Sunday Express has highlighted the fact that thousands of people with eating disorders are being denied critical help by some hospitals and clinics which ration care to only those with a Body Mass Index below 15.

“This has got to stop now. I lost 13 years of my life because I wasn’t low enough in weight,” says Gemma, who is backing the Dump the Scales campaign, which has won political support and has a 67,000-strong petition calling for change.

Gemma, now 34, almost died four times as her physical condition deteriorated and was on the brink of taking her life as she battled anorexia.

“My anorexia started at 10 years old,” she recalls. “There was no warning, it wasn’t a choice – one day my mind started thinking differently. I had always been so carefree and happy but it felt like everything changed overnight. My parents were petrified as to what was happening to their once happy and healthy daughter so they took me to the doctors. I remember that day like it was yesterday and it was 24 years ago.

“I got on the scales, my weight was taken and my parents were told there was nothing they could do to help and not to worry as my BMI wasn’t low enough to cause real concern. One year later I was admitted to a children’s psychiatric unit and told if I didn’t drink water, let alone eat, I would be dead in 24 hours.

“Thirteen years of my life lost because I wasn’t low enough in weight. Think on that...

“I nearly died four times and also contemplated suicide. My family went to hell and back because we didn’t get the help we

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