Back to: Eating Disorder Survival Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Overcoming an eating disorder is a complex and challenging process that requires professional help and support. Here are a few steps that can help you on your recovery journey:

• Seek professional help
• Look for a treatment team that includes a physician, a therapist, and a registered dietitian. They will be able to provide a comprehensive assessment and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
• Learn about your disorder: Understanding the underlying causes and triggers of your eating disorder can help you to better manage your symptoms and make positive changes.
• Address underlying issues: Eating disorders often stem from underlying emotional and psychological issues, such as low self-esteem, trauma, or perfectionism. It is important to address these underlying issues to fully recover.
• Practice self-care: Eating disorders can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. It is important to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating regular meals, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
• Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who understand and support your recovery journey. This can include friends, family, support groups, or a therapist.
• Be patient: Recovery from an eating disorder can be a long and difficult process. It’s important to be patient with yourself and to remember that setbacks are a normal part of the recovery process.
• Keep seeking support: Recovery is a lifelong process, and it’s important to continue seeking support even after you’ve achieved significant progress.

Personal Note:  This has extreme personal meaning to me because friends and family assumed that an eating disorder was just that, about eating.  I think if I heard the term “just tell her to eat” one more time I would have had some unkind words to say.  Sadly, many people think that eating disorders are just about food and weight and they believe that eating is the way through it.  If more people understood the complexity of an eating disorder and the mortality rate of it, I suspect they may re-evaluate their “suggestions”.