Eating Disorder Resource centre of Ireland
Recovery from Eating Disorders
Recovery means different things to different people, even researchers use varying definitions!
One definition is when the person no longer meets the diagnostic criteria, however the problem with this is that a person who once suffered from anorexia or bulimia but no longer fits the full criteria, can be still symptomatic.
Recovery should involve the following…..
No longer having a faulty or unnatural relationship with self, food, body, weight, and exercise.
Acceptance of a natural body weight, size or shape whatever it may be.
Food and weight take a proper perspective in your life, and you cease to self evaluate through body, shape, size, and weight.
You don’t compromise your health or your spirit to wear a certain size, or look a certain way, or be a certain number on the scales.
Finally you do not use food to cope with, defend against, control, or deal with problems or negative emotions.
No consensus exists on criteria for recovery from eating disorders, however a person is believed to be recovered if they no longer display the characteristics of eating disorders. It is based on the following behavioural, emotional, psychological and social factors.
A Person….
Does not exercise excessively
Does not vomit after meals
Does not binge
Does not punish her/himself after eating
Does not take slimming pills
Does not take laxatives
Does not use diuretics
Does eat normal amount of calories
Able to express emotions verbal and non verbal
Able to handle negative emotions
Able to handle positive emotions
Doesn’t feel depressed or isolated
Doesn’t feel too fat
Able to be in touch with her/his feelings
Able to handle conflicts normally
Self Esteem no longer dependent on weight
Has a realistic image of her/himself
Feels no need to slim excessively
Accepts her/his appearance
Has a positive experience of her/his body
Is not extremely perfectionist
Is able to socialise and make contact with others
Has some friends
Dares to express a different opinion
Sleeps normally
Heartbeat normal
Not obsessed by food or weight
Can eat 3 meals a day
Has adequate self esteem.
(Source of information Bruner Mazel Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Eating Disorders issue Spring 2006)
The journey towards recovery is paved with challenges but the reward is mighty ! If you look up ’Recovery’ in the thesaurus you will find Recovery suggests…
Regain
Recoup
Repossess
Retrieve
Reclaim
Recapture
Restore
Redeem
Improve
Healing
Turn for the better
Get back on one’s feet
Pull through.
On a spiritual level recovery is about retrieving your spirit, restoring calm, and healing the issues that are maintaining your eating disorder.
It is a journey of self awareness and self discovery where your healthy self starts to challenge your unhealthy self (disordered self ). Being connected to the unhealthy self disconnects you from your healthy self and The Journey towards recovery enables you to regain, recapture , or restore the ‘real’ you.
What You Think - You Create,
What You Feel - You Attract,
What You Imagine - You Become !
Suzanne Horgan
director & founder
Certified Trainer in Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders and Obesity
Contact Us today..........info@eatingdisorders.ie