Eating Disorder Recovery: 12 Tips to Aid in the Process

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKnow Your Treatment OptionsUse Positive Self-TalkUnderstand the CausesAccept SupportPractice Self-CareBelieve You’re Worth ItStay OptimisticAsk for HelpConfide In OthersBe PatientAdhere to Your TreamentFace Your Fears

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Know Your Treatment Options

Use Positive Self-Talk

Understand the Causes

Accept Support

Practice Self-Care

Believe You’re Worth It

Stay Optimistic

Ask for Help

Confide In Others

Be Patient

Adhere to Your Treament

Face Your Fears

Recovering from aneating disordercan be a long journey. Treatments for eating disorders are complex and multifaceted, but recovery is possible.

Because eating disorders can lead to serious medical consequences, treatment focuses on the mental and physical aspects of the condition. It may involve nutritional counseling, weight restoration, medical stabilization, psychotherapy, and medication.

While challenging, there are steps you can take to improve your well-being during treatment. The following are mental health tips to consider throughout the healing process.

Reading up on the latest treatments for your eating disorder can help defuse any anxiety, uncertainty, or fear you feel as you recover. These might include any combination of:

Whatever treatment plan your provider prescribes, expect it to require effort on your part. Remember that feeling challenged is normal and healthy, and that you’re capable of working through it.

Eating Disorder Recovery

Research has found thatself-talk, or how you talk to yourself, plays a critical role in developing and maintaining eating disorders. In one study, dysfunctional and negative self-talk was associated with increased symptoms and severity of eating disorders.

Being self-critical often goes along with manyother symptoms of eating disorders, but it won’t help motivate you or help you recover.

Too much self-criticism can increase feelings of shame and negative emotions you may experience, exacerbating an already difficult situation. Consciously work to stay positive and useaffirmation exercisesto help combat self-critical thoughts.

Understand Your Eating Disorder’s Roots

Although it used to be more commonly believed that parents were a leading cause of disordered eating, the latest research shows thateating disorders have complex causesthat include genetic and societal factors.

Remember that no family is perfect. If your family has been unsupportive, they likely don’t knowhowto be supportive. Talk with your treatment provider about how to process your relationships so you can move forward in recovery.

Many providers also encourage family sessions and sometimes use teletherapy or online counseling to include faraway family members.

Accept Support From Loved Ones

Research shows that people with eating disorders are more likely to recover with a specialized treatment team in place.In most cases, willpower, self-help books, and independent work cannot replace the professional guidance of a therapist,dietitian, and physician. These professionals have years of experience and training to help you on the road to recovery.

If there are no available specialists or you cannot afford care,self-helpfor bulimia and binge eating disorder might be an option.

Make sure that you are caring for your physical and mental well-being during your eating disorder recovery. Strategies that can help include:

Many prioritize caring for others above meeting their own needs, sometimes hurting themselves in the process. This can be especially true when you are friends with someone with an eating disorder.

5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life

Treatment and recovery from an eating disorder can be expensive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, many people do not receive appropriate care because they cannot afford it.

Try not to get caught up in thinking that you are not worth the financial commitment that treatment may require. If money is an issue, talk openly with your treatment providers about it. There are often ways to get less expensive treatment.

Ways to reduce treatment costs can include using family-based treatment, getting a treatment scholarship, participating in university research programs, or using a web-based, self-guided treatment option.

Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal diseases. Research suggests that the mortality rate for people with anorexia is five times higher than that of the general population. Eating disorders also have significant negative consequences, including reduced longevity and quality of life.

But they are treatable, and full recovery is possible. When you begin to lose hope, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Work to stay positive and talk to your therapist anytime you find you are struggling emotionally.

Factors associated with improved eating disorder recovery include self-acceptance and positive relationships.Staying positive and hopeful while seeking encouragement from trusted loved ones can help you succeed in your recovery journey.

Ask for Help When You Need It

Hopefully, you have an excellent treatment team in place to call for help and support, no questions asked. But are you also including your family and friends and giving them a chance to support you in recovery?

Asking for help can be a daily process and may require you to ask for specific things (such assupport during meals) that they can help you with.

Confide in Trusted Friends and Family

Keeping secrets about difficult things in your life can lead to feelings of shame and prevent you from asking for support when you need it.Choose people who have earned your trust when sharing your experience. If they know what’s going on, they’re more likely to be able to be there for you in ways that will help.

Research has found that social connections are critical in successful eating disorder recovery.Reach out to trusted friends and family to get the support you need. You might also consider joining aneating disorder support group.

Full recovery can take years and for many, it’s not easy. Many people struggle with slips and relapses—it’s a journey and no one should feel shame about the ups and downs inevitable in the process. Have faith in the recovery process, and check in with your treatment team if you aren’t making the progress you had hoped for.

Eating disorder recovery typically does not follow a perfect, linear path. There are often setbacks and the progress may vary. It often takes months or even years to recover, and many people may continue with the process for the rest of their lives.

Listen to Your Treatment Team

Your treatment team should consist of professionals who have years of training and experience with eating disorders. Listen to them when they recommend specific changes, even when it might seem scary to you.

Changes such as adding a medication, adopting a meal plan, or considering a higher level of care can be important and necessary changes to your treatment plan.

Recovery from an eating disorder requires facing situations that you may have been avoiding, such as eating certain foods, tolerating feelings of fullness, and tolerating feelings of anxiety when you do not exercise. Work with your treatment team to develop a plan to graduallyface these situations.

Thanks to technology, you need not leave home to get therapy when you usereputable, proven online therapy providers.

A Word From Verywell

An eating disorder is a complex mental illness that requires professional care. While there is certainly helpful reading material, it can’t replace the care of a qualified treatment team. Always consult with your providers before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Recovering from an eating disorder takes time and you may need to try a number of different strategies before you figure out what works best for you. With time, support, and the right treatment, you can begin the path toward eating disorder recovery.

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Eating disorders.Eating Disorders: Core Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders.Eaton CM.Eating disorder recovery: a metaethnography.J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2020;26(4):373-388. doi: 10.1177/1078390319849106Scott N, Hanstock TL, Thornton C.Dysfunctional self-talk associated with eating disorder severity and symptomatology.J Eat Disord. 2014;2:14. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-2-14Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18–25.Halmi KA.Salient components of a comprehensive service for eating disorders.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(3):150–155. PMID: 19812744Kazdin AE, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Wilfley DE.Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(3):170-189. doi:10.1002/eat.22670van Hoeken D, Hoek HW.Review of the burden of eating disorders: mortality, disability, costs, quality of life, and family burden.Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2020;33(6):521-527. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000641de Vos JA, LaMarre A, Radstaak M, Bijkerk CA, Bohlmeijer ET, Westerhof GJ.Identifying fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery: a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.J Eat Disord. 2017;5:34. doi:10.1186/s40337-017-0164-0Walsh JM, Wheat ME, Freund K.Detection, evaluation, and treatment of eating disorders the role of the primary care physician.J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15(8):577–590. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.02439.xLinville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi:10.1080/10640266.2012.668480Resmark G, Herpertz S, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Zeeck A.Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa-New Evidence-Based Guidelines.J Clin Med. 2019;8(2):153. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.3390/jcm8020153

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Eating disorders.Eating Disorders: Core Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders.Eaton CM.Eating disorder recovery: a metaethnography.J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2020;26(4):373-388. doi: 10.1177/1078390319849106Scott N, Hanstock TL, Thornton C.Dysfunctional self-talk associated with eating disorder severity and symptomatology.J Eat Disord. 2014;2:14. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-2-14Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18–25.Halmi KA.Salient components of a comprehensive service for eating disorders.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(3):150–155. PMID: 19812744Kazdin AE, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Wilfley DE.Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(3):170-189. doi:10.1002/eat.22670van Hoeken D, Hoek HW.Review of the burden of eating disorders: mortality, disability, costs, quality of life, and family burden.Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2020;33(6):521-527. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000641de Vos JA, LaMarre A, Radstaak M, Bijkerk CA, Bohlmeijer ET, Westerhof GJ.Identifying fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery: a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.J Eat Disord. 2017;5:34. doi:10.1186/s40337-017-0164-0Walsh JM, Wheat ME, Freund K.Detection, evaluation, and treatment of eating disorders the role of the primary care physician.J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15(8):577–590. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.02439.xLinville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi:10.1080/10640266.2012.668480Resmark G, Herpertz S, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Zeeck A.Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa-New Evidence-Based Guidelines.J Clin Med. 2019;8(2):153. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.3390/jcm8020153

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Eating disorders.Eating Disorders: Core Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders.Eaton CM.Eating disorder recovery: a metaethnography.J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2020;26(4):373-388. doi: 10.1177/1078390319849106Scott N, Hanstock TL, Thornton C.Dysfunctional self-talk associated with eating disorder severity and symptomatology.J Eat Disord. 2014;2:14. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-2-14Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18–25.Halmi KA.Salient components of a comprehensive service for eating disorders.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(3):150–155. PMID: 19812744Kazdin AE, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Wilfley DE.Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(3):170-189. doi:10.1002/eat.22670van Hoeken D, Hoek HW.Review of the burden of eating disorders: mortality, disability, costs, quality of life, and family burden.Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2020;33(6):521-527. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000641de Vos JA, LaMarre A, Radstaak M, Bijkerk CA, Bohlmeijer ET, Westerhof GJ.Identifying fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery: a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.J Eat Disord. 2017;5:34. doi:10.1186/s40337-017-0164-0Walsh JM, Wheat ME, Freund K.Detection, evaluation, and treatment of eating disorders the role of the primary care physician.J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15(8):577–590. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.02439.xLinville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi:10.1080/10640266.2012.668480Resmark G, Herpertz S, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Zeeck A.Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa-New Evidence-Based Guidelines.J Clin Med. 2019;8(2):153. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.3390/jcm8020153

National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Eating disorders.Eating Disorders: Core Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders.

Eaton CM.Eating disorder recovery: a metaethnography.J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2020;26(4):373-388. doi: 10.1177/1078390319849106

Scott N, Hanstock TL, Thornton C.Dysfunctional self-talk associated with eating disorder severity and symptomatology.J Eat Disord. 2014;2:14. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-2-14

Berrettini W.The genetics of eating disorders.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2004;1(3):18–25.

Halmi KA.Salient components of a comprehensive service for eating disorders.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(3):150–155. PMID: 19812744

Kazdin AE, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Wilfley DE.Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(3):170-189. doi:10.1002/eat.22670

van Hoeken D, Hoek HW.Review of the burden of eating disorders: mortality, disability, costs, quality of life, and family burden.Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2020;33(6):521-527. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000641

de Vos JA, LaMarre A, Radstaak M, Bijkerk CA, Bohlmeijer ET, Westerhof GJ.Identifying fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery: a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.J Eat Disord. 2017;5:34. doi:10.1186/s40337-017-0164-0

Walsh JM, Wheat ME, Freund K.Detection, evaluation, and treatment of eating disorders the role of the primary care physician.J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15(8):577–590. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.02439.x

Linville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi:10.1080/10640266.2012.668480

Resmark G, Herpertz S, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Zeeck A.Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa-New Evidence-Based Guidelines.J Clin Med. 2019;8(2):153. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.3390/jcm8020153

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