Safiyyah Syeed (left) and Faizah Hashedmi (right) spoke to BBC Sport about eating disorders in the context of South Asian Heritage MonthWARNING: This article includes information about eating disorders and mental issues.Safiyyah Syeed, a teenage girl, was diagnosed with anorexia as well as bulimia.The 20-year old Bradford boxer, who is now aiming to compete in the Olympics in 2024 external link, had previously overcome an unidentified long-term illness that caused her to vomit frequently. She then began to experience eating disorders.Syeed was in school for two years, and the initial mystery illness lasted nearly three years. She often ended up bedridden. It caused severe mental and physical damage.Syeed was able to overcome the illness and created a bucket-list of activities she wanted. This included skydiving, and places to see. Boxing.She told BBC Sport that she can still remember the first time she entered the boxing gym."I hadn’t even punched the bag yet. I had never boxed before in my life. But I thought this was my thing."Syeed was able to lift enough weight to start training, but her eating habits started to suffer."I had recovered from one illness, but I was unable to get myself into another. It was really difficult. She says that I was initially in denial.A BBC investigation revealed that under-20s with eating disorders were nearly half the number who had been admitted to hospitals in the last year. Now, hospitals are warning that they have run out of beds to treat these patients.Syeed's doctors were baffled by her new weight loss. The teenager was denialist and hiding her eating disorder. The mental health clinic was referred to Syeed."I was trying to figure out if I should go down the boxing route or just follow the dark path that I've already traveled before. She says.She decided that boxing was the best way to express her purpose.This is a very important thing to have, especially if you are going through a difficult time or an illness. It's the thing that will make you shine and help you get through it.The Bradford boxer is trying to break stereotypes."In the Punjabi community, there is no word to describe mental health."Kam Gillar, a psychotherapist who specializes in compassion-focused therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is Kam Gillar. She believes that there is a South Asian mentality that can be "thin and pretty".She told BBC Sport that this is something she heard from her growing up: "You need to be thin to look good.""There is a stigma that mental health is taboo in the Asian community. Many families will tell you to "pull yourself together, and be thankful.""Punjabi people don't have a word for mental health. The only thing we know is 'you're crazy. There is so much stigma associated with that. Although there is a lot of fear within the community, one third of those who are suffering from a mental illness will be."The second is lack of education and awareness. Many of the families that I work with have never heard of eating disorders.Faizah Hashmi (19 years old), a Birmingham-based cricket player and coach, was diagnosed as anorexic. Sport has played an important role in Syeed's story, too.After being identified by the NHS National Child Measurement Programme as being 'overweight', her anxiety about food started towards the end of primary school. Her family changed their lifestyle and her mom helped her lose weight.Gillar believes that compassion work for eating disorders is highly effective. Being surrounded by people who understand eating disorders can greatly aid recovery.Education can also be a part of South Asian communities.Gillar said, "I explain to you that if we broke our arm, we would go to the hospital and get it checked out. And it's the exact same for our mental health.""Medical information is considered gospel in our community. If you explain that there is a connection between what the brain does and how our bodies do it, and that's why high blood pressure and heart disease are common, people will listen."Hashmi felt like she was in a warmer place, but she started to get passing comments about her weight at the age of 13."I was confused because I thought that I had lost weight. Then it spiralled. She said that she wanted to be very thin." BBC Sport.Hashmi's health deteriorated and she was admitted to three different hospitals - Newbridge House, Parkview Clinic and Priory. She says that she realized she could no longer live her life in hospital.How sport has helpedAfter being discharged for the third time, Hashmi decided that she would return to playing cricket after having played for Kingsheath Cricket Club in primary school. Asma Ajaz Ali, her coach suggested that she attend a street session.She said, "It was really enjoyable and I met people like me – not in any particular manner - but just in age and culture and such like.""I had never met any cricket friends before but I still played. It's completely different now.Hashmi, who was also diagnosed with Asperger’s external-link, said she has joined other social groups and that the routine of training has helped her maintain a healthy diet.Recovery after a pandemicSince March 2020's pandemic, the waiting list for young people suffering from eating disorders has tripled. Those who are currently being treated are now having to wait longer. As a result, more under-20s are ending up in hospital.Both Syeed, Hashmi and Hashmi admit that they had difficulty recovering from lockdowns. Syeed said that it was the lack in routine and more time with her thoughts that made it difficult."The first lockdown was difficult. "It felt like all the trauma and all the things I've been through in the past just came back for me for a moment," she said.Hashmi stated that the lockdowns were "absolutely devastating", because they reminded her of being in hospital. There were limits on what she could do and when she could see family.She explained that it "just kind of sinks" you into your mental illness. The same thing happened to my eating. It spiraled in many different directions."Hashmi said she regretted coaching, in particular because it helped her to improve her confidence. However, she was still able take positives out of the situation."I thought, "Well, I'm with family - at the least I can go outside for walks. She said that although I might not be able to see my friends or go school, I can still study at my home."Moving forward and breaking down boundaries"Syeed competed in amateur boxing wearing her hijab after the International Boxing Association (AIBA), lifted a ban on religious clothing for 2019 external-link.She is now aiming to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. She will be the first woman Muslim female boxer to represent Great Britain in the Olympics if she qualifies. She is also aiming to fight in the England Boxing National Amateur Championships later in the year as a step towards achieving that goal.Hashmi was presented with the Chance to Shine Young Leadership of the Year award in November 2012, as well as a personal message by Heather Knight, England captain.It was truly amazing. She said that she didn't expect to receive it."When I think back on the past, people would tell me that you're going over it and that it's going get better. And they were right."Hashmi recently began playing competitive hardball cricket with a Moseley CC team. She also volunteers her time as a coach and is currently studying to be a teacher.Click here for more information and support on the topics covered in this article.
