Eating disorder recovery is a process that involves overcoming physical, mental, and emotional barriers to restore normal eating habits and a healthy relationship with food. Recovery is different for each person affected by an eating disorder, and it can mean different things to different people. Some people may never have another eating disorder thought again, while others may still have occasional thoughts but have learned to manage them. Recovery is a nonlinear process, and setbacks can occur. However, setbacks can also enable a person and their care team to identify new recovery areas and skills to work on.

There are five stages of change that occur in the recovery process: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. During recovery, patients undergo a variety of therapies to help them understand why their disorders exist and to challenge these disordered thoughts and behaviors. Nutritional, physical, psychological, functional, and social elements are key components of recovery. Nutritional recovery involves eating with flexibility, eating socially, and for enjoyment and pleasure. Physical recovery is typically associated with improvement of the physical complications associated with an eating disorder, and restoration or stabilization of weight where relevant. Psychological recovery involves addressing co-occurring issues, such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, or other problems that make eating disorders more difficult to treat. Functional recovery involves restoring the ability to perform daily activities, such as work or school, and social recovery involves rebuilding relationships with family and friends.

Recovering from an eating disorder is not a straightforward path, and it can be a long process that requires not only a qualified team of professionals but also the love and support of family and friends. It is important to prioritize self-care and to have a strong support network during the recovery process. There is always support available no matter where you are in your recovery journey, and it is important to remember the coping strategies you’ve built up and to use them to jump over the barriers you face.