An Overview of Eating Disorder Recovery

By Megan Samuels, MSW, LMSW, Outreach Coordinator

This blog will discuss eating disorder recovery, what it means, how it can differ from other forms of recovery, and how recovery takes time.  The end of this blog offers some journal prompts for further reflection.  These journal prompts can be done independently, with supportive friends or loved ones, or with your therapist or other treatment team members.

Eating disorder recovery may mean different things to different people.  For many folks, eating disorder recovery means that being able to live a life free from eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and urges.  For others, it may mean being able to return to a sports team or to be able to eat intuitively.

When we think about recovery from drugs and/or substance use, we think about abstinence from the drug or substance.  This would mean not engaging with that substance or drug.  Oftentimes, people in recovery from substances may earn “chips” to signify how many days “clean” or “sober” they are.

This is what can make eating disorder recovery messy - we can’t abstain from food.  Recovery often includes decreasing behaviors, thoughts, and urges while also finding replacement behaviors, un-learning diet culture, and eating enough food.  Meanwhile, we are also in school, working, parenting, etc.  That’s a lot to juggle!

Recovery can take time-and the journey is different for each individual.  If you think about the Hasbro children’s game, Candy Land, there is a path, however sometimes you will land on a spot where you can move forward quickly or move backwards unexpectedly.  In terms of recovery from an eating disorder, we may move more quickly though the path of recovery with a treatment team who specializes in eating disorders or supportive family members who are able to provide meal support.  On the flip side, we may move backwards unexpectedly if there is another life stressor that is making it more challenging to make recovery-oriented choices.

Regardless of the timeline, the first step to recovery is getting help.  This can mean reaching out to our team to schedule a free 15-minute consultation for eating disorder therapy and/or recovery coaching - you do not have to do this alone.  We would love to support your healing journey and help you explore and reach your recovery goals.

Journal Prompts:

• What is your definition of recovery?
  
• What would you like to see your recovery journey look like?
  
• Who or what can support you throughout this journey?
  
• What may be some challenges that may arise in recovery and how may you overcome/manage them?
  

Schedule a free 15 min consult for eating disorder therapy in MD, VA, DC, NY, FL, or recovery coaching worldwide.
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*Disclaimer: The information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for your independent medical decision-making nor a recommendation or endorsement for any particular treatment plan, organization, provider, professional service, or product. The information may change without notice. No claims, promises, or guarantees are made about the completeness, accuracy, currency, content or quality of information linked. You assume all responsibility and risk for any use of the information.

The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, and California. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com