I wouldn't tell myself much really, I think I was a bit too far down the rabbit hole to be pulling myself up by my bootstraps (apologies for mixed metaphors). I would have a few pointers for my family. They tried to help (and that's all you can ask/hope of people) but it was a bit misguided at times.

For example when I told them I wanted to be left alone I was... For weeks. I would come out of my room to use the toilet and gorge during the middle of the night. I felt so worthless I thought I just brought others down by talking to them or seeing them that I just decided they were better off without me around.

When I had improved slightly a relative pressured me to do a voluntary job (one that I would have loved if I was in the right frame of mind). The problem was at that point it was a huge effort to even leave the house, a day I managed to have myself clean and fed was better than most. She wouldn't take no for an answer and I kept trying to make excuses because I didn't want to admit something that should be a great opportunity was 100% beyond what I could manage.

What finally pulled me out of it was meeting a girl who loved me and made me see the good qualities I have. She did push me in the right direction to move on in life but gently and with support, not pressure or guilt. I know you shouldn't depend on others for your self esteem but when you have none it's like turning on a light when someone thinks you're great.