A BUSINESSMAN has opened up about his battle with eating disorders to encourage others not to suffer in silence.

The 38-year-old, who does not want to be named, said at its worst, he was so sick with the condition bulimia he often caused the blood vessels in his eyes to burst.

Now in recovery, Rob* has spoken out to clear up the myths and misunderstandings of the illness and highlight the impact it can have on sufferers and those around them.

Since 2015/16 Dorset HealthCare has received 463 referrals for people with eating disorders. In the five years before, they were just 303 referrals.

For years the company director from Bournemouth said he had an obsession with food and yo-yo dieting.

However in his twenties as he battled with weight, he began fasting for days, at times eating just fruit in five days before binging and making himself sick, a condition which developed into anorexia.

He said: “I began binging more and more on huge amounts of food and each time purging. It became something I controlled, an addiction. It became very powerful and I didn’t tell anyone. There were several times I’d make myself so sick, the day after I’d wake with burst blood vessels in my eyes but nobody noticed.”

Two years ago Rob decided to finally seek help after telling his girlfriend about his secret battle when he was reluctant to move in with her for fear of her finding out about his eating disorder.

“I didn’t want someone I loved to go through this pain with me and she was so non-judgemental and understanding that I finally got support.”

Now Rob is well on the road to overcoming the illness and focuses on completing physical sporting challenges including cycling and running.

He explains: “The best thing I ever did was to finally talk about my illness. It led to me getting support and turning my life around. Now I feel healthy and happy and look forward to my future rather than to live a life which is controlled by my eating disorder.

“Suddenly it wasn’t about waking up each day focusing on the next binge and purge. Focusing on physical challenges helps me to respect my body rather than think so negatively about it.

“I want others to know eating disorders do not have to control your life and to talk about it with someone was a total relief.

“Eating disorders often have a stigma attached but I just want others to know there is a life away from it and you don’t have to suffer alone.”

*Name has been changed