Anorexic woman, 23, who was a tiny size zero is saved by Instagram after sharing her incredible recovery selfies online 

An anorexic woman who weighed just six stone has revealed how she was able to turn her life around thanks to social media.

Hayley Harris, 23, from Chelmsford, Essex, wore a size four (a US size zero) at the height of her struggle with anorexia nervosa.

After being told by doctors she was at risk of a cardiac arrest, she set up an Instagram page to chart her recovery - which helped her to reach a healthier eight stone.

Hayley Harris posted selfies to aid her recovery when she suffered anorexia and at her lowest weighed six stone, pictured in the grips of her eating disorder

Hayley, pictured since her recovery, was so withdrawn when she was anorexic she had panic attacks - but she now shares healthier photos like this one on Instagram

She now shares her dramatic transformation by posting a a series of selfies online for her 4,700 followers.

Hayley said: 'I want to show to girls and guys across the world that recovery is possible and that this is what mine looks like.

'I set the Instagram up to help inspire even one person out there to get help or help another.

'Not only has it been good for others but it's been incredible therapy for myself too.

'It's almost like if I have a bad day or my head is cloudy I look at my Instagram to see that I'm not alone and that I can fight this.' 

Hayley said she had suffered from the eating disorder for 'a good few years' before it reached it's peak in June last year.

She said: 'I lost an awful lot of weight due to feeling out of control with a lot of stuff as well as a massive body image problem. 

Hayley, pictured when she was ill, left, and since her recovery, right, said she 'felt good for losing weight but I was so restrictive that the moment I would drink or eat I would feel so horribly awful about myself'

Hayley, pictured after beating her anorexia with her mother, was able to make a full recovery from her illness and charts her progress on social media for her 4,700 followers

Hayley , pictured after recovering, was repeatedly begged to seek help by her friends and family, but she dismissed their concerns

Hayley, pictured when she was ill, fitted into size four clothes and was warned by doctors she could have a cardiac arrest

'I was six stone and three pounds when I was admitted into hospital and I wore size four clothes. 

'I felt rubbish. I felt good for losing weight but I was so restrictive that the moment I would drink or eat I would feel so horribly awful about myself if I had even put on a bit of water weight.

'I didn't hear anyone telling me I looked ill and didn't see it myself. I lost my whole personality so quick, I felt like I was a living shell.

'The side effects really triggered my recovery. You bypass the hunger pains after a while and other side effects set in like heartburn or stomach cramps or chest pains.'

Hayley said she was repeatedly begged to seek help by her friends and family, but she dismissed their concerns.

It was only when she was preparing to travel on a plane that she suddenly realised the severity of her illness.

She said she was warned by doctors that she was at risk of suffering a cardiac arrest if she went ahead with the flight. 

Hayley, pictured after her illness,  was admitted into hospital in November, where she spent two months on a therapy and meal plan course. She was eventually discharged in January

Hayley, pictured now after recovering, said when she was anorexic she didn't hear anyone telling her she looked ill and didn't see it herself

Hayley said: 'My parents and family intervened numerous times but I wouldn't let them.

'When I did give in, I went to the doctors and my resting heart-rate was 40 when it should have been about 60 to 80.

'I was going to get on a plane in two days time and I was told that if I would fly I could potentially suffer cardiac arrest. Needless to say, I was scared.

'I felt like I had lost my light. I felt that I lost my personality and everything that was the real Hayley.

'I was withdrawn, suffered anxiety attacks by the thought of going out some days - I even hated food and social situations.

'I felt so emotionally drained and I destroyed my body for a peace of mind I never achieved.'

Hayley was admitted into hospital in November, where she spent two months on a therapy and meal plan course. She was eventually discharged in January.

Hayley now posts selfies on Instagram to help her recovery and also encourage others and feels 'connected to others'

Hayley, pictured now, said: ''I saw this unrealistic image of what a woman should be everywhere - petite, dainty and delicate and so I went about striving for that'

Now, Hayley has returned to a healthy weight and feels 'connected to the world' through her Instagram page.

'I wanted to share my story because what fuelled my illness was the amount of pro anorexia propaganda there is out there,' said Hayley.

'I saw this unrealistic image of what a woman should be everywhere - petite, dainty and delicate and so I went about striving for that.'

She added: 'I have started to fall in love with being alive and I have never been so happy.

'The support I've had has been overwhelming. Eating disorders are very complex and hard to understand things but having even a random stranger say to me thank you shows a wonderful unity.

'I think everyone at some time struggles with their weight so to feel connected to the world through my Instagram page is truly beautiful.

'I want my page to raise awareness and fight against pro anorexia websites because someone out there might not have the incredible support of my family, doctors and friends as I did and might be being influenced as we speak and that breaks my heart.'