Can You Truly Recover from an Eating Disorder?

3 minutes

When I begin working with a new client struggling with an eating disorder, two questions consistently arise: "Can I truly recover from my eating disorder?" and "Will my life ever return to normal without a constant preoccupation with food?" As with most complicated things in life, the answer is gray and heavily depends on that person’s definition of recovery. Some people enter treatment hoping to revert to their 12-year-old selves when they could raid the pantry without a second thought or spontaneously indulge in a milkshake and Cinnabon at the mall even though they just ate lunch.

It’s always a bit disheartening to deliver the news that it’s unlikely to achieve that kind of “recovery;” however, that feeling doesn’t last once I explain a different, more mindful kind of recovery that is entirely possible and offers freedom and benefits. Individuals will find themselves enjoying their food and nourishing their bodies more effectively than the days when they would eat an undesirable doughnut just because it was the only one left in the box.

A recovery resembling a nostalgic return to innocence is a misguided goal as it’s rare to see even among adults who never suffered from an eating disorder. Think about your friend without any history of disordered eating who might decline dessert, citing a recent increase in sugar consumption. For most people, eating disorders start very innocently with perhaps a diet, becoming vegetarian, or beginning an exercise routine and it gradually spirals. Before they know it, it’s been years of struggle and disordered behaviors taking various forms. And because this often begins in adolescence, the only frame of reference people have, free from their disorder, is from guiltless days when they didn’t overthink food choices. Thus, they may struggle to envision what a mature adult relationship with food truly entails.

The Reality of Recovery

The journey of recovery from an eating disorder is far from linear; it's an ongoing process characterized by progress, setbacks, and continuous effort. Achieving recovery doesn't mean erasing the past or forever eliminating any presence of disordered thoughts or behaviors. Rather, it involves developing a heightened self-awareness, implementing coping strategies, fostering resilience, and building a robust support system to navigate challenges and triggers. It’s about finding joy in food without the weight (pun intended) of guilt or shame and cultivating acceptance and respect for one's body.

This journey demands time - often years - especially for those who have grappled with their eating disorder for an extended period. Early intervention is crucial, as the longer one wrestles with the disorder, the lengthier the road to recovery becomes.  Research on eating disorder treatments indicates that early intervention in eating disorder behaviors improves the speed of recovery, reduces symptoms, and improves the likelihood of long-term recovery.

What Does Recovery Look Like?

Recovery from an eating disorder can look different for different people. There is no one-size-fits-all definition or measure of recovery. Some people may consider themselves fully recovered when they no longer engage in any eating disorder behaviors, have a healthy relationship with food and their body, and can cope with stress and emotions constructively. Others may consider themselves still in recovery if they have the occasional thoughts or urges related to their eating disorder, even if they are still able to manage them without acting on them or letting them interfere with their daily functioning and well-being.

What I like to tell clients is instead of focusing on a specific meaning of recovery or envisioning a life where they never feel they probably could have skipped seconds, it would be more helpful to focus on reclaiming autonomy over food choices and embracing a new normal. This new normal integrates past experiences with increased self-awareness fostering a new understanding and appreciation for how they view food and their body.

So What’s the Answer?

Going back to the original question: Can you truly recover from an eating disorder? The short answer is yes. The more nuanced answer is, as long as you are willing to put in hard work, manage expectations, and are not expecting to go back to a time when your mom had to remind you to eat because you just forgot.   

Learn more about eating disorders and therapy.

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