Yeardley Smith, who has voiced Lisa in The Simpsons since 1989, has spoken candidly about her two-decade struggle with an eating disorder.
Smith says her internal battle with perfection caused her to become bulimic.
“I had an eating disorder for 24 years … from when I was 14 to 39. Now I’m 57,” Smith told PEOPLE.
“Eating disorders are incredibly isolating and you practice your disorder in private. It’s very ritualistic. It’s very secretive, it’s not social like drinking. It doesn’t mean one is worse than the other, just different.”
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Yeardley Smith has shared intimate details of her decades-long struggle with bulimia. (Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Smith said his 40th birthday was his turning point, when he realized he could no longer live like that.
“So I got up my socks and said,‘ Okay, I need real help, ’” he said. “I had told myself I could do it on my own forever and ever. Obviously I can’t, so I need help.”
The voice actress entered an outpatient recovery program and attended group therapy eight hours a week.
Smith said at the time that he felt he deserved nothing good in his life.
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“Fear is rooted in a deep shame of who you are, how much you haven’t met your expectations or those of others. That your body isn’t the shape and size it should be that you see in magazines, that I see it in my industry. It’s really a punishment. “
Smith said that since he came into recovery, he has been able to embrace self-love and inner peace.
“Now I feel like the food is really good. I’m not afraid of food. There are a couple of trigger foods that I really stay away from.”
If you, or someone you know, needs support related to eating disorders, call The Butterfly Foundation at 1800 33 4673. In an emergency, call 000.
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