Changing the Way an Eating Disorder Affects You

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that require appropriate treatment and care. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), eating disorders impact nine percent of the population worldwide.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, deciding to take the first steps toward recovery is not always an easy choice to make. However, it is an empowering decision that can help you discover what life is like without the constant obsessions regarding the food you eat, as well as your weight and body image.

Learning What Recovery Means for You 

Recovery from an eating disorder is non-linear and does not come with a timeline. It means, looks, and feels like something different for each individual. The same goes for what life can be like after receiving treatment for an eating disorder.

You may find yourself comparing your recovery to someone else’s or have pre-conceived notions of you what your recovery should look like. With this in mind, it can be liberating to get curious about what recovery means specifically for you. You can always change your definition of it when you see fit.

Getting to Know Yourself Outside of the Disorder

Receiving an eating disorder diagnosis can be a helpful way for you to uncover the reasons behind it and learn how to heal from it. However, such a diagnosis can also lead to overidentifying with the disorder itself.

Although you may have an eating disorder, it is important to realize that it does not define who you are. While it is part of you, it is not all of you.

Practicing Patience During Your Recovery 

Recovery from an eating disorder is not an all-or-nothing journey. At times, you may find yourself feeling freer from the grips of it than you ever thought would be possible. However, at other times, you may find yourself on the verge of relapse.

It can be helpful to remind yourself that you are doing the best you can with the tools you have. The recovery process can be easier when you permit yourself to be where you are, cultivating patience for yourself and your unique process.

At Avalon Malibu, we recognize how confusing recovery from an eating disorder can be and are here to guide you each step of the way. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder and are ready to begin the road to recovery, we can help. Regardless of where you are at in your eating disorder recovery, we have professionals ready to support you in uncovering what life beyond an eating disorder means for you. To learn more, call us today at (844) 857-5992.