Lily Collins' recovery is an ongoing process after battling an eating disorder

Lily Collins' recovery is "an ongoing process" after battling an eating disorder.

The Emily In Paris star, 36, has marked Eating Disorder Awareness Week by opening up about her own personal struggle - admitting she found it "terrifying" to talk openly about her problems at first but she's keen to shine more light on the difficult subject to help others.

In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "I want to take a moment to acknowledge Eating Disorder Awareness Week ... As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder ⁠– and was able to tell the story of so many others like me through my character in [2017 film] To The Bone ⁠– I've always advocated for more awareness and understanding surrounding eating disorders so no one has to struggle in silence or shame.

"Recovering looks different for everyone and is an ongoing process, but through the help of organisations like @neda [the National Eating Disorders Association] and films like To The Bone, I've learned to connect with others who share similar experiences and feel less alone."

Lily added: "Speaking out and opening up about my history with eating disorders was and is one of the most terrifying but rewarding experiences of my life.

"If every time I share my story it helps even one person on their recovery journey, it is beyond worth it."

The actress previously opened up about her battle in a candid 2017 interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine in which she admitted she never really addressed the "facts" about her illness while she was suffering.

She told the publication: "I never reached the point where I needed medical attention and went to hospital, so I never took the time to talk about the facts. You tend to surround yourself with myth when you're going through an eating disorder ... "

Lily went on to explain her issues stemmed from a desire for "control" and to achieve "perfection".

She said: "When I was younger, I wanted to reach this image of what I thought perfection was and I equated that with – well, with what you see in the media; you think body shape has to a lot do with being perfect.

"I wanted to control how I got there. At that time, I was dealing with high school and relationships, and you're very out of control at that stage in your life.

"How do you feel in control? Well, I controlled how I ate and looked. Then, as I grew older, I realised that perfection doesn't exist and my priorities have shifted because I want a family one day.

"I don't want these self-imposed issues to affect whether or not I can have kids – because the reality is you can't have children when you're ill like that."