On the edge of life and death. Kristina Karyagina's journey with anorexia and her fight for recovery

How did Kristina Karyagina develop anorexia? The roots trace back to her high school years, when stress from learning and exams prompted her to eat less and less. Proceeding to law school, her weight continued to decline. Despite completing her education, her severe health problems halted her ability to work. At the peak of her condition, she weighed a mere 37 pounds.

Everything changed for her in 2016 when she decided to participate in the program "Let Them Talk". This is where she fully realized the fatal severity of her disease. A week post the show airing, Kristina, accompanied by her mother, sought treatment in Nizhny Novgorod under the guidance of psychotherapist Yan Goland. The therapy made a noticeable transformation as she doubled her weight, as reported by the media.

"All my organs are yet to fully regenerate, from 2019 on, I have been certified as permanently disabled. This is majorly attributed to poor nutrition. Though the weight is not where it ideally should be, it has substantially increased" - shared Kristina Karyagina in a Telegram channel interview last year.

So, what's her current predicament? V1's Russian edition managed to get in touch with the 31-year-old woman. The revelation was that she was still below the recommended weight of 99 pounds, but the dire threat to her life had considerably subsided.

"I'm not completely healed (...). I have serious issues with my spine and legs, a consequence of my anorexia. I find my body opposing recovery," she explained.

Kristina Karyagina primarily uses a wheelchair for mobility now. Despite her condition, she manages a remote job from home as a deputy director for arbitration. The majority of her free time is devoted to her treatment, with an occasional indulgence in reading books and drawing as well. Her health has shown visible amelioration and her previously hollowed face is now rejuvenated.