The Truth about Recovery and Relapse in Eating Disorders
Recovery
The journey of recovering from an eating disorder can take months, if not years. But the good news is that you can un-learn the unhealthy behaviours and habits that you have learnt, and instead learn new coping skills and healthy behaviours and habits that can assist you in moving forward. With the right support and guidance from professionals, family and friends, you can break free from your eating disorder because recovery is within your reach. Remember, what is important is moving forward, no matter how slow that may be.
Broad Areas of Recovery
Psychologists are constantly looking for an answer to what “true recovery” looks like. They were able to identify three areas which include:
Three areas which could represent “true recovery” of eating disorders
Please note that there is not yet a stringent criterion to accurately define what factors are necessary for someone to recover from an eating disorder. However, the three areas that were identified are a good place to start. Also, there is yet no duration set in which eating disorder behaviours should be absent to constitute recovery. Nevertheless, some studies suggest that 8 consecutive weeks to one year without eating disorder behaviours is an indicator of recovery. The issue in that is that the duration of physical and psychological recovery is not taken into account. Regardless of all the issues that arise from defining recovery, what is important that you feel better physically, behaviourally and psychologically, and that you experience an increased and improved quality of life.
Relapse
The journey of recovery is hardly straightforward and smooth and is in fact normal that you meet few obstacles, slips, or even a relapse. It is actually common for people to return to their eating disorders, especially if they are going through times of stress. Please remember, relapse doesn't mean failure. Don’t give up and remind yourself how the time in recovery made you feel and how much fuller your life was without an eating disorder.
Common Warning Signs of Relapse
There are common signs that can indicate relapse. These include:
· Feelings of shame and guilt after eating
· Feeling distressed and irritable when the subject of eating disorders or food is brought up
· Making efforts to eat alone
· Avoiding having meals around people
· Increasing perfectionism
· Justifying small slips and lapses and claiming that it is not that bad or not a big deal
· Repeatedly weight yourself outside of treatment
· Obsessing about food and weight
· Isolating from loved ones
If you are experiencing any of these warning signs, remind yourself that relapse can possibly occur and there is no shame in that. But it is important to create a plan to help you manage it and to progress in your recovery journey.
How to manage the warning signs
Here are two ways that may greatly help you with managing the warning signs:
1. Identifying your support system
Surround yourself with people (including friends, family, therapists, dietitians) who you can turn to when you are having concerns or having any signs of relapse. Your support system will always want to see you healthy and happy and would encourage and guide through the distress.
2. Identifying your triggers
Write a list to identify anything or anyone that can revert you to your old, destructive behaviour. These triggers could range from anything including your exams, holidays, difficulties at work and/or a specific group of friends. Know these warning signs early and create a plan with your support system on how to deal with these triggers.
Always remember that recovery is a long journey with its ups and downs. If you do relapse at some point, be gentle with yourself and don’t beat yourself up. Don’t let the feelings of guilt and shame disrupt your recovery, but believe that you will be able to handle this situation the same way you handled it last time.
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