Anorexia, Psychosis and Schizoaffective Disorder - One Woman's Imperfect Recovery Story

Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a textKate Purcell has spent much of her life in a battle with anorexia — hospitalised ten times, including seven months at a residential clinic in Perth. She has since navigated a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, survived a psychotic episode, written two books, and built a life she genuinely loves.But this is not a neat before-and-after story. Kate is still managing an eating disorder diagnosis right now, alongside medication that makes that harder, not easier. In this conversation, she talks about the girl she was before the illness took hold, what it felt like from the inside, and how she has learned — slowly and imperfectly — to separate who she is from what she has been through.This one is raw, real, and deeply human.Chapters0:00 — Introduction3:00 — Growing up and the beginning of comparison 10:00 — The diet that became something else 18:00 — Hospital and The Beast taking hold 28:00 — What actually helped34:00 — Life after hospital42:00 — A year of living in hell49:00 — Diagnosis, medication, and finding solid ground 54:00 — The recent relapse — and what it taught her 58:00 — Building self-worth from the inside out 1:02:00 — What Kate would say to her fifteen-year-old selfFind more Kate - Her books⁠Hope Inc. — Kate's memoir ⁠⁠Tell Your Eating Disorder to F**k Off: Reclaim Your Power ⁠— Kate's self-help guide with reflection exercises and values workHer socials⁠Instagram⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠SupportIf anything in this episode stirred something up for you, please reach out to a professional who specialises in this area. In Australia:Butterfly Foundation Helpline: 1800 33 4673 (free, confidential support for eating disorders and body image concerns) Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Lifeline: 13 11 14You deserve support that's built for exactly what you're carrying.Connect with DanielleInstagram:⁠ @iamdaniellecolley ⁠Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠