“Duck Dynasty” star Sadie Robertson reveals her past secret battle with an eating disorder

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 19: Sadie Robertson attends the Sherri Hill fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 at The Plaza on February 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

Writing an intimate post on her blog, “Duck Dynasty” star Sadie Robertson opened up for the first time about her past struggle with an eating disorder.

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“I struggled with an eating problem connected to a negative body image for about a year,” she first wrote on Instagram. “The photo in the red dress was when it was really bad, and when I first saw that picture, all I could see was the ‘fat’ that went outside the dress. Someone in the modeling industry had told me if I wanted to be a model, then I needed to lose that. Looking back I’m so sad that those thoughts stole the beauty and joy of that photo. The second picture is me – the girl behind the screen. This is real life.”

In her blog post, Robertson elaborated on her battle, noting that competing on “Dancing With the Stars” caused her a lot of anxiety. She also shared the details of when she began counting calories and measuring her body overtook obsessively.

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“It was dark. It was ugly. It was insanely difficult,” she wrote. “It was done in secret. It was hidden. I did not even tell my own mother until recently. I thought I had everything under control. Maybe you have been saying that same thing? I didn’t even realize this small problem that I thought I had under control was creating a ripple effect, creating more and more problems, ones I certainly couldn’t control. I became angry with the person I was becoming. My self-worth was demolished, and I began to lose sight of my true identity.”

During that time, Robertson said she was “trapped in a battle that took place 24/7.” She got to a point where she was wrapping her hand around her thighs multiple times a day to make sure they hadn’t grown. Now, the reality star is 15 pounds heavier, saying, “I am happier, and have more joy than ever before. I am feeling good.”

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