Treatment options for those with eating disorders in Christchurch are limited and those in need don't always feel welcome unless they fit the stereotype of "skin and bone".
The Princess Margaret Hospital is the only inpatient facility in the South Island and can only take a small number of people. This means waitlists are long and not everyone can access help.
Many have found it difficult to receive care at all and those who have say they struggled with the quality of this treatment.
One previous patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she felt it was set up for physical recovery and didn't properly address the mental aspects of an eating disorder.
"I really don't think I benefitted from being there, there wasn't anything therapy related, I just felt really alone."
Counsellor Kristyna Kavanagh says this is a problem as eating disorders are mental health problems that manifest into a physical outcome.
Therefore, until an individual has the emotional support to work through the root of the issue, the physical elements cannot improve.
"In my opinion it's any form of therapeutic help involving building a trusting relationship, validating their experiences and providing a safe place."
Typical treatment should involve consistent therapeutic help and group work to keep the patient accountable and unpack the mental side of the disorder, says Kavanagh.
Unfortunately this kind of intensive response is more common in private recovery, with places like The Princess Margaret Hospital not having the resources to fund the same care.
Another past patient says when she was in residential care, her routine consisted of sitting in her room all day and only going out to the kitchen at meal times.
She admits her anxiety stopped her from interacting with others and didn't help, but wishes more was done to stop patients from isolating themselves.
She also shared that her only motivation to eat was her desperation to leave.
Her condition was still causing problems however she says she felt like no-one took her seriously due to not being "tiny" - despite being on bed rest with an unstable heart rate for days on end.
She says this is not good enough and her story is shared by so many seeking help through the system.
"I think there's definitely some major huge flaws."
After being discharged, she felt safer and better taken care of at home, as although it's not professional support, "it provides more help emotionally".
The Ministry of Health runs the facility and says it is mostly outpatient oriented, because fewer people are going into residential care.
They have yet to comment further.