Nigel and bulimia

[Gob]

Rugby union referee Nigel Owens reveals his struggle with eating disorder bulimia nervosa is not over and remains an ongoing battle.



There have been a number of 'firsts' in my life.

As a referee in world-class rugby, one of the most macho sports on the planet, I was the first in the sport to come out as being gay.

In the hope of reaching out to other young people struggling with mental health, I was also one of the first sportsmen to speak openly about the biggest regret of my life - a suicide attempt.

Early one morning at the age of 26, I left a note for my mum and dad, both of whom had been hugely supportive of me, explaining I couldn't carry on, that I desperately wanted to bring it all to an end.

I took an overdose, laid down on a Welsh mountainside and waited to die. Doctors later told me I was just 20 minutes from death when I was airlifted to hospital by a police helicopter.

So I got a second chance. I was determined not to waste it and using my experience to help someone else is a pretty good way of ensuring that.

Which brings me onto another 'first'; I've spoken about dealing with bulimia in the past but have never before revealed that to this day I continue to struggle with an eating disorder.

Since the age of 18, I have had bulimia nervosa.


Continues here.....

[Lord Jim]

Good on Mr. Owen for being so candid about the struggles he has had with this...

As the article points out, this is a condition generally associated in the public mind with young women, and a burly "macho man" type like him to coming forward and speaking candidly about his own experiences will hopefully make it easier for other boys and young men to seek help (when they might otherwise feel too ashamed admit to having what they may think of as a "girl's problem"...)

[Bicycle Bill]

So?  He's a soccer referee who is openly gay who also suffers from bulimia and who tried to snuff himself.  I fail to see just whatinthehell the big deal is.

If I remember correctly, oldr_n_wsr has openly admitted a problem with alcoholism, and I seem to recall that he also considered — if not actually attempted — suicide.  I myself am overweight, borderline diabetic, suffer from hypertension and a heart arrhythmia, and have a chronic case of a Hawaiian disease called 'lakanuki'.  But we — and others like us — learn to deal with it, without a big splash or spread across the internet, and without expecting the rest of the world to make exceptions or special considerations for our 'problems'.

-"BB"-

[Scooter]

If this:

expecting the rest of the world to make exceptions or special considerations for our 'problems'

is the takeaway message you go from that piece, then I would suggest reading it again, for comprehension this time. Perhaps moving your lips as you go would help.

[Joe Guy]

I think BB may have misread something. Like the entire article...

[Gob]

"He's a soccer referee"? You're a dumb as rubato.

[BoSoxGal]

Jeez BB, who shat in your cornflakes this morning?!

Eating disorders are a terrible scourge and ANY attention that can help sufferers know they're not alone is a good thing, period. I didn't see anything in the article indicating this man was asking for attention or pity, but only to help others who suffer as he does.

[BoSoxGal]

and have a chronic case of a Hawaiian disease called 'lakanuki'

Ah, upon closer reading of your post, I see why you're such a flaming asshole so much of the time.

You need to get acquainted with Rosy Palm and her five daughters on a very regular basis, it'll be good for your prostate as well as your attitude. You might even learn to love yourself a little bit.

[Lord Jim]

Eating disorders are a terrible scourge and ANY attention that can help sufferers know they're not alone is a good thing, period. I didn't see anything in the article indicating this man was asking for attention or pity, but only to help others who suffer as he does.

That was certainly my take on that article...

Eating disorders have the highest death rate of any mental health illness and are estimated to affect 1.6 million people in the UK. Around 400,000 are thought to be men and boys.

I found that part personally educational; I had no idea that 25% of people with eating disorders are male. Like I suspect most people, based on the media coverage, I thought this was overwhelmingly a scourge that affects girls and women.

I'm speaking openly about it because I know that men and boys can view it as a sign of weakness by admitting there's a problem that you can't sort out yourself.

But it's not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of great strength to do that.

On the programme I speak to professional boxer Bradley Pryce who made himself in the past sick to lose weight. You see these guys in the ring and think they embody mental toughness and physical strength.

It goes to show that everybody can suffer from it - a world cup rugby referee, young teenage boys and professional boxers.

I think that really sums up his motivation in coming forward about this....

[rubato]

They have referees for rugby? there are rules?


yrs,
rubato

[Big RR]

They have referees in Pro Wrestling, so rules and referees don't go hand in hand.

[Lord Jim]

In pro wrestling they don't have rules, they have a script...

[Big RR]

What, you're saying it's FAKE? And all that money I lost betting on those matches....

[Gob]

They have referees for rugby? there are rules?


yrs,
rubato

At least you admit your ignorance in this post..

Well done.