Recovering from an eating disorder can be difficult. If you or someone you know is trying to overcome an eating disorder, you might find that other physicaland emotional issues can come up during the process. But in the long-run, recovery can lead to a healthier life overall.
For some, recovery from their eating disorder means the end of their eating disorder symptoms (like starving, binging, excessive exercising, or purging). For others, recovery is the end to the physical symptoms as well as an end to feelings of fear, guilt and hate about eating or even having an eating disorder.
Overcoming an eating disorder could very well be a rocky road, often a case of two steps forward and one step back. The number of times you fall back into your eating disorder is not important; what is important is that each time that you take a step back, you don’t let yourself dwell for too long. It might be a slow and frustrating process, but you will still move forward, and that is what will get you there in the end.
Most people who are working to overcome an eating disorder have mental health professionals and nutritionists who support them. If you’re having a hard time or find yourself relapsing, it’s important that you talk to someone to get the support you need. This could mean reconnecting with a mental health professional you worked with earlier, or contacting a new provider for help.
For more information, check out the National Eating Disorders Association.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
