My Self Harm Nightmare

Reported rates of eating disorders and self-harm among young people are increasing dramatically and experts are warning this could be connected to the rapid growth in pro-anorexia and self-harm websites. Thousands of blogs and websites have emerged, made by young people and encouraging their users to compete to lose more weight, share pictures of themselves, post comments, or glorify their own self-harm. They include images of emaciated bodies alongside tips and tricks on how to make yourself vomit or hide your self-harm scars from your parents. One in 12 people self-harm, and in 2014 there were over 38,000 admissions to hospital as a result of self-harm injuries; an increase of nearly 70% in 10 years. Meanwhile, the number of young people seeking help for an eating disorder increased by 110% between 2011 and 2013. This intimate documentary meets three young women who have been drawn into this chilling online world. They share step-by-step accounts of how their illnesses developed, the painful steps to recovery, and for some, the ongoing battle with negative thoughts