Disordered eating throughout all school years
Olivia avoided eating in front of anyone from the start of secondary school until she entered Love Island, spanning her entire teenage years.
Snapshot · We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
Olivia Bowen: I Lost Myself After Giving Birth & What Love Island Never Showed
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Jul 14, 2026
Similar snapshots
Self-harm from age 14 to late 20s
Olivia experienced self-harm from around age 14 and again in her late 20s following postnatal depression, far later than most people assumed.
Love Island cured disordered eating
Entering Love Island acted as unintentional exposure therapy, and Olivia's disordered eating resolved completely during the six-week show.
Data point
38 hours
Olivia's labour with son Abel lasted 38 hours, ending with forceps delivery after Abel was born not breathing having swallowed meconium.
Data point
32%
Almost one third of 17 to 24 year olds have self-harmed or attempted to, according to Young Minds statistics cited in the episode.
Data point
70%
Almost 70% of young people with a probable mental health condition have self-harmed or attempted to, according to data cited in the episode.
Data point
10%
Incidents of self-harm in the UK increased from 3.8% in 2000 to 10% today, reflecting a dramatic rise over two decades.
Data point
83%
An NHS survey found 83% of people who had self-harmed reported doing so to relieve feelings of anger, tension, anxiety or depression.
Data point
~30%
Olivia experienced vanishing twin syndrome during her second pregnancy, a condition affecting 15–35% of all twin pregnancies.
Data point
2 stone
After leaving her toxic ex-boyfriend, Olivia barely ate for three months and lost approximately two stone in a matter of weeks.
