HOLLYOAKS legend Mikyla Dodd has today revealed her devastating health battle after losing nine stone.
The actress 47, shot to fame playing Chloe Bruce on the Channel 4 in soap the early noughties, but has opened up about the darker side of being famous.
Actress Mikyla Dodd has bravely opened up about her weight loss which saw her lose nine stone[/caption]
Mikyla shot to fame as Chloe Bruce in Hollyoaks[/caption]
The star – who is now 47 – was on Hollyoaks when she was in her twenties[/caption]
The brave star – who is now an Olivier Award winning theatre star – has said she struggled with her weight throughout her teens and twenties.
She revealed at her heaviest she was 24 stone.
Mikayla eventually shed nine stone, but it came at a price of getting caught in a cycle of binge-eating.
The actress is now joining other celebrities including Jess Impiazzi and Sid Owen in appearing in a film called, A Day With An Eating Disorder.
The star-studded feature – which is helmed by writer and filmmaker Lynn Crilly – is a powerful story set to “provide a voice” to those struggling with eating disorders.
Mikayla said: “I’ve got a very challenging relationship with food.
“It dominates my thoughts most of my waking hours and somebody in my family close to me, also has struggled with anorexia nervosa.
“It doesn’t leave people either, it’s a difficult one.
“Getting people when they’re younger and seeing the difference makes that really improves the trajectory to a normal, healthy life and experience with food.”
Continuing the former Hollyoaks star said: “Nobody knows what’s going on behind somebody’s eyes and just appreciating that we’re all having our own struggles in our own way is important.
“What we need is a little bit more humility and a little bit more positivity towards each other.
“There’s not just one way to fix someone.
“One way will work for one person and what’s key is getting the right therapist, the right help and the right network around you. One size doesn’t fit all.’
In 2007, Mikyla released her memoir The Fat Girl From Hollyoaks where she talked about her battle with weight loss.
Mikyla released this book in 2007[/caption]
Since then she has been very honest about the journey she has gone on over the years.
A Day With An Eating Disorder, which is being released later this year, aims to reduce the stigma surrounding anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive exercising.
The film is being supported by SANE, and comes 20 years after filmmaker Lynn’s daughter Samantha was diagnosed with an eating disorder and OCD.
Other stars who will feature includes actor Paul Cooper, dad of Daisy-May Cooper, and comedian Bobby Davro, to name a few.
How to get help for an eating disorder
AN eating disorder is a mental health condition and there are several different types.
They involve using the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations.
The most common eating disorders are:
- Anorexia nervosa (trying to control your weight by not eating enough food, exercising too much, or doing both)
- Bulimia (losing control over how much you eat and then taking drastic action to not put on weight)
- Binge eating disorder (eating large portions of food until you feel uncomfortably full)
If you think you have an eating disorder, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Charities can also offer help and advice.
In the UK, Beat, Talk ED and Health for Teens are good places to start.
Source: NHS
