Mental Health in the Metropolis: what it's like living with anorexia in London

Mental Health in the Metropolis is a new video series documenting the struggle of living in a city with a mental illness. This series aims to give an insight into the lives of extraordinary Londoners living and coping with their conditions whilst going about their daily lives
Alex Gatenby14 June 2017

There are currently 1.6 million people living with an eating disorder in the UK. This is just one mental health condition amongst many based around the need for control - something that can be exacerbated by the hectic nature of urban living.

Following part one of Mental Health in the Metropolis focusing on anxiety, this second instalment centres on anorexia.

For the last 10 years, 28–year-old Dave Chawner has been suffering from anorexia, an eating disorder which involves restricting food intake in order to lose weight.

Dave, now a comedian and mental health campaigner, is one of the 10-25 per cent of male sufferers.

Dave was diagnosed at the age of 17 after a friend suggested he may have a problem with his eating habits. After refusing treatment four times he eventually started to recover, but still battles with his mental disorder on a daily basis.

Having lived in London for the last seven years, he finds its pressures overwhelming at times. The expectation of being a high achiever and having a social life that makes the most of what London has to offer, can make him feel an overpowering desire for perfectionism. Dave correlates this experience with that of his anorexia and always striving to lose more weight than others around him.

Dave Chawner works as a comedian 

Since his recovery, Dave has become a mental health campaigner and uses his experience of anorexia as material in his stand-up comedy, something he feels is important in order to break down barriers.

To find out more about Dave and his story watch the video above. Watch part one of the series here.

If you or anyone you know have been affected by an eating disorder contact charities such as Beat or Men Get Eating Disorders Too for help and advice. Alternatively you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123.

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