Emotional Maturation during Recovery

Once eating is largely normal and behaviors mostly diminished in recovery, there is room for emotional and psychological development that is impossible in the throes of an eating disorder.

The disorder in full swing is debilitating. Disordered eating and obsessive thoughts about food dominate one’s mind. In addition, completing the eating disorder tasks and following the rules feels like an accomplishment each day. These goals trump all other aspects of daily life and leave no room for other ways to grow into yourself.

After the symptoms subside, the person in recovery faces the realities of life in new ways. The trials and tribulations of work, family, friends, relationships and personal growth all come to the fore very quickly.

Without the guideposts of the eating disorder lighting the way, the uncertainty, confusion and emotions of life feel overwhelming and confusing very quickly.

The months or years of development that would occur otherwise stop almost completely when an eating disorder is present. Most relationships stagnate and all emotions disappear under the intense pressure of the eating disorder rules.

Emotional and psychological development in the process of recovery entails learning how to manage relationships and friendships, identifying emotions, finding ways to cope with life events and managing the uncertainty of daily life. In an eating disorder, none of these issues truly matter. All that demands attention is food and weight.

Fortunately, the period of development for someone in recovery is usually fast and furious. Once the eating symptoms subside, emotional maturing begins immediately.

Although the process is challenging and scary, the mind has developed even though the psychological changes have not occurred. So one’s mind is ready to charge ahead and learn all the components of development and maturity quickly. It’s important for the person to have help identifying emotions and learning new ways to cope with a world no longer guided by this illness.

Focusing on emotional and psychological development solidifies the gains in recovery and, in the end, makes it hard to return to the illness. The success of managing life with an eating disorder, as hard as it can be, well outweighs the misery of being trapped in this illness.