Trigger warning: eating disorders
A County Durham student has revealed how his battle with an eating disorder has inspired him to help others – by becoming a mental health nurse.
Quince, from Darlington, was officially diagnosed with anorexia at 17, but spent his childhood labelled a picky eater and often skipped meals while at school.
Limited eating eventually left him extremely poorly and, while recovering in hospital, Quince was inspired by his treatment to support people in similar situations.
“I know what I did and didn’t find helpful as a patient, and I’d like to use that lived experience to help others. My ambition is to train as a mental health nurse,” he said.
“There is a whole world of people who are going through this, and I’d like people to know they are absolutely not alone, even if it feels as if they are.”
Life spiralled after exams
Quince – an involvement member with our trust – found himself under “an insane amount of pressure” to do well while taking his GCSEs at school.
Despite his on-going issues with eating, he secured high exam marks – but his world “came crashing down” when he moved on to study at college.
“My self-esteem was at all-time low. I was very introverted at the time, extremely self-critical – and that’s when I really started struggling with my eating,” said Quince.
“While I’d vaguely skipped the odd meal or counted calories before, things ramped up when I started college. Over just a few months my health grew worse and worse.”
As Quince’s eating problems spiralled, so he was also going through the process of realising he didn’t identify as female – the gender assigned to him at birth.
“This played into my overall body dysmorphia issues, and I was too young for testosterone treatment at the time,” he said.
“I tried to engineer the changes I wanted to see through food intake instead. It just wasn’t a healthy place to be in.”
Eating struggles led to missed opportunities
Quince was very unwell by the time he was admitted to hospital in January 2024, and he needed a month of treatment before returning home.
He was then re-admitted just a few months later, when he was fed via a nasogastric tube, and later he was transferred to a mental health hospital.
“I missed out on so much time at college and eventually the care team I was under told me not to go back, due to my mental and physical health,” he said.
“It was such a difficult time. I wasn’t really responsive to other people caring about me. I wanted change – but wasn’t putting in the effort. It constantly weighed on me.
“I lost out on family and friend connections due to my eating struggles, and when I lost my education on top of all that, it was the final straw.
“Eventually, I came to realise that the only person who really understands me is me, and that it was up to me to change things around – and that’s what I did bit by bit.”
On the road to recovery
Quince left hospital in late 2024, not long after his 18th birthday, and was referred to a day service for further support. He was finally discharged from services in February 2025.
“The idea of going home and re-starting my life was a big motivator in my journey to recovery,” said Quince.
“I started with little sips of a fortified drink and went from there. I knew how important food was to keeping well, and I was determined get better.
“It’s a difficult tightrope to walk down. I know that, and I want to use my experience to help others.”
Quince, now 19, found inspiration in our trust’s peer support workers – people with lived experience of eating disorders and mental health – during his road to recovery.
They played a pivotal role in his progress, and their impact helped spark his nursing ambitions.
“I’ve got the insight into what it’s like to be a patient, and I want to support others in my situation. My heart is set on becoming a nurse – I just want to do it,” he said.
Looking towards a brighter future
Quince is now studying health and science at college, with a work experience placement at a hospice, and aims to go to university next year to study nursing.
He is hoping that, by speaking out as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, he might encourage people potentially worried about their eating to seek support.
“Please reach out – whether to a co-worker, a helpline, or a friend. There are people who will listen, understand and be there for you, even if you feel like there won’t be,” he said.
- All photos taken by Quince. Involvement members are patients and carers who have experience of mental health services and work with our trust to co-create high quality, effective and personalised support for all.
Support, help and further resources
It is estimated that at least 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder – and around 25 percent of these are male.
Help is available and early intervention is key. The earlier treatment can begin, the more likely it is to be successful. Please reach out.
BEAT : BEAT is a charity which provides a wide range of information and guidance on eating disorders. It also holds specialist courses and operates a helpline for those in need.
EDNE : Eating Distress North East provides information on family support, counselling, health and wellbeing workshops, mindfulness courses and training and education.
GPs : Your own doctor can provide information on eating disorders and refer you to specialist services.
Recovery College Online : Information available from the college for patients, service users, carers, staff and anyone with an interest in eating disorders.
