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Dying to Be Thin
- The True Story of My Lifelong Battle Against Anorexia
- Narrated by: Yaz Shah
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
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Summary
”The figure looking back at me was little more than a skeleton with just a thin layer of tissue paper for skin, drawn over the stick-like bones. I stood staring for a good couple of minutes, considering what I'd become. And my verdict? Brilliant, I thought. It's been worth every moment of all that hard work.”
Say the name Nikki Grahame and most people will remember the bubbly, highly strung and hugely entertaining Big Brother 7 contestant. Since leaving the Big Brother house, she has forged a successful career for herself in presenting and writing. Yet Nikki isn't just another reality television contestant and her life story is not like any other you will ever read.
From the age of eight until she was nineteen, Nikki battled anorexia nervosa but few cases have been quite as extreme as hers. Aged just eight and weighing just under three stone, Nikki was diagnosed as anorexic.
For the next eight years, she was in and out of institutions - seven in total - during which time she attempted suicide twice and had to be sedated up to four times a day so that she could be force-fed. At one point, she was sedated for fourteen days while doctors sewed a tube into her stomach, through which she was fed in order to get her weight out of the critical range. The lengths that she went to avoid eating and find ways to exercise excessively shocked doctors who have worked in the field for years. As Nikki says, “I've always wanted to be the best at everything I do, so I had to be the best anorexic - and I was.”
This compelling book tells the story of an incredible journey.
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What listeners say about Dying to Be Thin
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- sarah kate small
- 30-07-19
Insightful and honest
A vivid and honest account of how destructive Anorexia can be. The level of detail made it very interesting and the descriptions of the various units helped me visualise what Nikki's time as an inpatient must have been like. Upon listening to the book, I thought she was very brave as so much of herself is revealed. At the points where she hits rock bottom, it's hard to hear and I did have to take breaks. Well worth reading if you are interested in child and adolescent mental health.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Vicky B
- 06-11-22
The damage of lockdowns
I'm no reality TV fan ... I downloaded off the basis I'd heard of Nikki and have a I vested interest with mental health.
my heart broke to hear her talk of hope and how she felt nothing could damage her recovery now she had reasons for living and a routine to control her illness... listened to this 2 years post covid knowing she died from her Anorexia and huge factor was the gyms being shut down along with all support being reduced.
an example of the many who suffered and fell under the lockdowns ...
RIP Nikki ❤️
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1 person found this helpful
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- Misssyuk
- 11-05-21
Sad, at the same time amazingly brave!
Wow Nikki’s journey.... gob smacked at the thought her illness started at a young age.. shows how all parents must tell their kids to tell you about any forms of bullying.. one mean comment can have such a strong impact on a vulnerable child.
Nikki was not weak she was strong minded.
This Gov is responsible for her death, she’d battled anorexia most of her life and this ‘lockdown’ took her away... when will the Gov take responsibility for her death? RIP Nikki 😢🥺
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1 person found this helpful
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- Stu maddy
- 28-04-21
Top draw
Absolutely loved this book it was amazing.. I'm going to read it again it was that interesting. poor girl she had an awful childhood growing up . Felt sorry for her
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 27-04-21
Heatbreaking but heart warming
Such a sad story on one individuals struggle, such a sad loss of life. Amazing book
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lorna
- 24-04-21
Emotional and sad tale
I downloaded after I'd heard of nikki's passing. She'd been through so much from such a young age and it's scary to know she went through so much to get where she needed to be. I'm just sorry it took her life in the end :(
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mrs C
- 18-03-21
Brilliant
As a sufferer myself, this book really hit home. So brave to share her secrets! Well done
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- Faith Scott
- 19-02-24
The last 5 minutes.
I loved the whole story. The last 5 minutes made me cry. What a lovely ending.
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- Amy
- 01-11-23
Heartbreaking but vital
An essential listen for those who may have suffered from eating disorders. The true horror not to mention destroying of a shallow stereotype the author was given. This book was a massive part of my recovery from an eating disorder helping me realise the agony and insanity of it all.
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- Patsy
- 11-09-23
So very sad
So very sad that she had realised she wanted to live and is now dead
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