The Truth about Full Recovery from an Eating Disorder

The notion of full recovery from an eating disorder remains controversial in the media and lay world. Eating disorders may be very specific diagnostic entities to clinicians; however, the terms are used more broadly by the public. Similarly, many if not most people see eating disorders as a way of life rather than an illness with an actual cure.

Two phenomena lead to this fallacy: clear evidence of people with chronic eating disorders and the cultural acceptance of food and weight obsession. These two realities help propagate the myth that no one can get better from an eating disorder.

The truth is that some people have chronic eating disorders they need to manage throughout their lives. Sometimes the eating disorder is disabling and extremely limiting and in other circumstances people can manage larger lives while also dealing with a chronic illness.

A significant percentage of people do fully recover, including people with all different kinds of eating disorders. These people tend to have certain similar experiences that increase the likelihood of recovery.

First, people have a higher chance of getting better the earlier they enter into effective treatment. The longer someone is ill, the more ingrained the eating disorder thoughts and patterns become. This is especially the case when the eating disorder persists in early years of adulthood and becomes a key component of adjusting to life in the world.

Second, the more fulfilling a person’s life is despite the eating disorder, the higher the success of treatment. People need to have things that matter more than the eating disorder. This enables them to deal with the persistent discomfort of eating normally because there is something else to eat for.

Third, people need to be able to believe the thoughts that counter the most basic argument of the eating disorder. These thoughts include fear of gaining weight, the need for regular nutrition and that there are other ways to handle stress and emotion. When the eating disorder is the sole way someone handles life, recovery looks much more daunting.

Last, the more support someone has in life enables recovery to proceed more smoothly. Support isn’t absolutely necessary but makes a difference so the person feels less alone.

Completely recovery is a very common end result of treatment. An eating disorder is not a life sentence despite the general belief otherwise. Getting treatment early and fully committing to the work of getting better really can pay off.