Sometimes there are no words, then there are words and they are terrible, and they are healing

Broadcast Thursday 29 Jul 2021 at 4:30amThu 29 Jul 2021 at 4:30am

In 1950's Australia a wasting disease was ebbing away at the life of teen, Dina Davis. Many treatments were used. "I do vividly remember watching another patient being given shock treatment and convulsing in front of me." Eventually the illness was diagnosed as 'anorexia nervosa'. The Territory author has penned the fictional tale, A Dangerous Daughter, which traverses a young girls dissent into a wicked eating disorder. A story based on Dina's personal trauma.(Lyrella Couzens)

Back in 1950's Australia there were no words to describe the wasting disease teenager Dina Davis was suffering. Today that disease is called anorexia nervosa.

Treatment back then was ad hoc and cruel. "I do vividly remember watching another patient being given shock treatment and convulsing in front of me".

The Territory author has turned her personal trauma into the fictional novel, A Dangerous Daughter, which traverses the journey a teenage girl takes to discover what's wrong with her.

A powerful life story which Dina says comes with a warning, 'it's definitely not young adult fiction'.

Broadcast 29 Jul 2021Thu 29 Jul 2021 at 4:30am

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