Recovery
At the Eating Disorders Foundation we maintain that recovery is possible, and that everyone suffering from an eating disorder can be helped in some way, and has the ability to change.
By no means is this a claim that recovery is an easy process, quite the opposite. However, with appropriate treatment, support and a lot of determination it is possible to make moves back towards life without an eating disorder.
The process of recovery is different for everybody, but overall it is a very tumultuous and challenging time. It can be a lot like a rollercoaster, with many highs and lows. There will be periods where you will feel like you have got a hold of things and everything is going ok, but no doubt there will also be times where things seems to fall apart and become more difficult. This is completely natural, and at the times when you are struggling it is so important not to beat yourself up about it (seemingly impossible we know) and to seek extra support.
Recovery can take a long period of time, possibly even several years, however it wont always be as hard as it is in the beginning. Things will become easier, and eventually a time will come when you can look back on the last few months or years and realise that you have actually been living rather then merely surviving.
Moving through recovery is such a rewarding experience (understatement of the century). Not only do you get your life back (or an entirely new one if you so wish) with real friends and family and experiences worth remembering, you also get to know yourself so deeply that you do learn to love yourself. This can often feel like a distant dream that can never be reached, that you just read about in recovery books and websites, but one day it is possible to know that it can actually happen and that all the heartache, confusion and fear is completely worth it. We promise.
Myths About Recovery
Once you’ve gained weight your all better.
Recovery is a lot more then just regaining physical health. Learning to eat naturally and maintaining a healthy weight are essential to recovery, but they are really just the first steps to betting an eating disorder. Dealing with the psychological issues that come with an eating disorder can take a lot time, after weight and eating normalises. Eating disorders are mental illnesses and therefore require more then just physical treatment.
You will never fully recover; you can only ever hope to manage your eating disorder.
Recovery is possible!
You have to eat all foods all of the time.
Recovery is about learning to eat naturally and listening to your body and making food choices based on what your body wants and needs, as opposed to what your head tells you to eat. This can mean eating more on some days then others, and all different types of foods and different times of the day. Natural eating is something that takes time to learn, and during the initial stages of recovery it is necessary to overcome your fear of food. This can mean eating all sorts of food (including scary foods) at regular intervals throughout the day. Often a meal plan is advised to make this process easier. This can often feel like you are eating all of the time (particularly if you have been less regular with your eating previously), but as time goes on you will become more comfortable eating appropriate quantities and appropriate times of the day.
If you relapse you will never get better.
Lapses or relapses are very common during recovery. Often people will lapse several times during their recovery journey. Sometimes these will be small lapses that last a day or a week. Other times a small lapse can turn into a relapse that last several weeks or months. It is possible to move back towards recovery after a relapse. Often relapses will inspire you and motivate more change. A lapse or relapse during recovery does not mean you are back at square, and it is unrealistic to expect to move through recovery without ever taking some backwards steps (remember you are not superwoman). Lapses and relapses are times where a lot of support and encouragement is needed. Do not lose heart, work at getting back on track and recognise that this is a normal and necessary part of recovery.
You keep putting on weight because you are eating all of the time.
As hard as it is to believe, you do not keep putting on weight right through to infinity. Once your body reaches its set point (its ideal weight) it will stabilise itself, and you will maintain this weight whilst you continue to eat naturally.
Once you’ve recovered your life goes back to the way it was which made you need the eating disorder in the first place.
Recovery is about change. It is a healing process that should help you to cope with tough times in your life. It is about learning who you are and what you want from life. It is almost in possible for you to go back to being your old self of pre and during your eating disorder. Recovery is a positive learning experience, which results in exceptional personal growth. During the recovery process you will develop a lot of strength which should help you assert what you want form life.
For information about our Recovery Support groups, please CLICK HERE