[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”29753″ img_size=”800×450″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Christopher Eccleston is best known for his run as the Ninth Doctor on the popular show Doctor Who. In his autobiography, the actor delved into his lifelong eating disorders, as well as his anxiety and depression. The autobiography is called ‘I Love the Bones of You’ and in it, he described having this eating disorder during his time on Doctor Who.
“Many times I’ve wanted to reveal that I’m a lifelong anorexic and dysmorphic. I never have. I always thought of it as a filthy secret, because I’m northern, because I’m male and because I’m working class.”
He continued in his writing:
“The illness is still there raging within me as the Doctor. People love the way I look in that series, but I was very ill. The reward for that illness was the part. And therein lies the perpetuation of the whole sorry situation.”
Eccleston talks about his anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts he experienced after he and his wife separated in 2015. The actor wrote that he had sought out help from a psychiatric hospital at the time and is currently taking antidepressants. It’s not only a good thing that Eccleston sought out help, but is also putting his inner struggles out there. Too often we believe actors to be untouched by what we experience in everyday life, so it’s a good thing that Eccleston is helping continuing the dialogue for mental wellbeing.
The National Eating Disorders Association has stated:
“Despite the stereotype that eating disorders only occur in women, about one in three people struggling with an eating disorder is male … But due in large part to cultural bias, they are much less likely to seek treatment for their eating disorder. The good news is that once a man finds help, they show similar responses to treatment as women.”
Hopefully, we can continue working towards walking away from the stigma that certain people do not experience emotional distress or that men cannot experience eating disorders. Thank you, Eccleston, for opening up. You can read ‘I Love The Bones of You’ on Amazon.
Source: The Mary Sue[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]