Doncaster man on the road to recovery 37 years on after crippling eating disorder

Mike Robinson, aged 50, who lives in Cantley, is now recovering from anorexia after working with community psychiatrist nurses and dietitians who work for Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).

Mike, who grew up in care, and went on to be a fisherman as he knew that trade would mean he could continue to hide his anorexia, is now aiming to become a support worker to help others.

“It took me 25 years before I accepted I had a problem,” said Mike. “It’s hard as a man with an eating disorder. It’s hard and and tiring. I’d get up in a morning and would be looking at calorie intakes, I’d try to be sick, I’d take laxatives, I couldn’t eat meals in front of people and I’d hide my meal in a carrier bag so I didn’t have to eat it. I’ve even hidden food from my wife. It’s a horrible, nasty illness and an illness people hide.”

Mike, who is 6 ft tall, also at one point only weighed in at 4.2 stone.

“I went to my local mental health team and the service here is the best I’ve ever received. I’ve also had support from dietitians, a community psychiatric nurse, my partner Tracey and my kids,” added the dad-of-seven.

“I never thought I’d be cured,” said Mike. “To admit and accept you have an illness is so hard, but the RDaSH service, wow, they are out of this world and I owe my life to them.”

You can also see Mike talk about his illness and recovery here https://youtu.be/oyeAt25WOCc

RDaSH is currently setting up a dedicated eating disorder service within its mental health teams and Mike is working with the Trust to make sure the service offered continues to support people going through similar experiences to him.

Anyone needing support for an eating disorder who needs support should go to their GP and ask to be referred to their local mental health service.