Woman Mistakenly Told She Had Cancer and Diabetes Gives up Food and Almost Gets Sectioned
Amy Doyle, a 30-year-old campaign manager, went through a harrowing experience after being wrongly informed that she had cancer and diabetes. The shock of the news led her to stop eating junk food in an attempt to maintain her health. Consequently, she dropped to just 5 stone, was banned from flying due to the risk it posed to her life, and was on the brink of being detained under the Mental Health Act for her own safety.
The mistaken diagnosis ignited a desire in Amy to manage her supposed symptoms through diet. Determined not to be hospitalised, she began eliminating many food groups from her diet, leaving her terrified of foods she deemed ‘unsafe.’ When faced with such foods, she would react with shaking, screaming, and crying. Amy’s diet was limited to plain chicken, vegetables, potatoes, and pasta, losing weight rapidly over three years to reach a size 0 at 5 stone.
Medical professionals mistakenly attributed Amy’s drastic weight loss to anorexia and intervened by forbidding her from taking holidays for fear her heart might fail during flights. Feeling cornered and desperate, Amy scoured the internet for help and stumbled across hypnotherapist David Kilmurry’s success stories. After undergoing sessions with Dr. Kilmurry, Amy gradually expanded her diet, rediscovering the joy of eating a varied range of foods, including her beloved junk food.
Despite the progress made, Amy acknowledges that she is still early in her recovery journey from orthorexia and ARFID. Through her experience, she has learned to indulge in moderation, viewing treats like chips, ice-cream, chocolate, burgers, and pizza as part of her healing process. Footage of Amy celebrating her 30th birthday with a burger illustrates her newfound ability to enjoy different foods with her mother’s support.
Reflecting on her past, Amy recalled a time when she was carefree about her diet and enjoyed a healthy relationship with food. However, a sudden lump on her neck triggered a series of medical investigations that led to erroneous diagnoses, setting off a spiral of fear and food restrictions. Her experiences highlight the importance of seeking accurate medical advice and support when navigating complex health challenges.
Encouraging others facing similar struggles, Amy urges sceptics to explore all available avenues for help, noting that the right assistance can make a significant difference. Dr. Kilmurry, the hypnotherapist who guided Amy through her recovery, emphasised the common misdiagnosis of orthorexia and ARFID as anorexia. He commended Amy’s courage and progress in overcoming her severe food phobia, underscoring the importance of seeking appropriate treatment tailored to individual needs.
Amy’s resilience and determination to reclaim her health serve as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for healing and growth. Her journey from a state of fear and restriction to one of empowerment and freedom exemplifies the transformative power of seeking help and embracing change. As Amy continues her path towards recovery, her story stands as a beacon of hope for others grappling with similar challenges, reminding them that healing is possible with the right support and determination.