A MUM-of-two whose adult life has been dominated by anorexia has spoken about its impact on her life in the hope of helping others.

Hannah Chamberlain, 30, who has raised more than £1,000 for eating disorder charity Beat by completing a skydive, said the condition brought her to the brink of death.

Hannah’s struggle has been exacerbated by living with Borderline Personality Disorder, a mental health condition which affects how she thinks and feels about herself and other people.

The ex-Llandrillo college student, who is married to Ben, explained that anorexia had a "tight grip" on her from 16, which she feels was a result of becoming homeless and having "no family support" from a young age.

Hannah raised £1000 through a skydive

The condition can cause sufferers to have a distorted image of themselves and can lead to extreme dieting and a fear of gaining weight.

The former Ysgol Eirias pupil who lives in Betws yn Rhos - a village located between Abergele and Colwyn Bay - said: "Over the last three years I have spent more time in psychiatric units than at home with my husband and children.

“Anorexia has had a profound impact on all aspects of my life. My striving for thinness has taken me to dangerous lengths, and I have nearly lost my life on numerous occasions.

“I couldn’t even enjoy days out with my children for being too weak and tired, and my heart and kidney had become poorly. I hated every minute but I couldn’t stop. I was desperate.

“With eating disorders you have goals. You think that once you reach a certain weight or a certain size you will feel better. But once you reach that goal you don’t feel better so you make a new goal and it just keeps going. The only way you will ever reach your ultimate goal is if it kills you.”

Hannah, who raised money for Beat, has spoken out in a bid to help others with their struggles

Hannah, who has always had a "difficult" relationship with food and body image issues, said her battle with the condition has led to more than 20 hospital admissions.

She is now moving in the right direction and has started a new job as a play worker. It has also been a year since Hannah was admitted into hospital.

She is being supported by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Eating Disorder Service.

She said: " I’ve had a dietitian who has been so wonderful and patient with me. I’m doing well in my therapy sessions and my quality of life is so much better. I have a lovely bond with my children and husband and have the energy to do normal family things.

"My husband has recently got a new job so I can now support him, which is something I’ve never been able to do before.

“Despite this I still struggle, every day. The eating disorder thoughts are still there and are a constant battle. I still have a long way to go but I’m going in the right direction.”

Hannah has had the condition since she was 14.

She added: "If I can recover after 16 years and becoming very unwell with it, there is hope for other people too. You can get better and it does get better. You just have to keep going with it and keep talking about it, because eating disorders thrive on secrecy."

To sponsor Hannah’s fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hannah-chamberlain4