If you don’t have an eating disorder, or know someone who has, it can be very difficult to understand. You might think-just eat and you will be fine. Or just don’t worry if you ate too much, tomorrow is another day. However, if it were that easy no one would be struggling. I recently read an article by Beth Hartman in the Gurze Eating Disorder Catalog that discusses some truths around eating disorders. Here is a summary of what I read.

Getting real is not easy

In order for full recovery to occur, one needs to get real and be authentic. There is a wonderful reference to the book The Velveteen Rabbit. If you remember, it it’s not an easy process to get real. If a child really loves you for a long time, you can get real. It doesn’t happen all at once, and it hurts sometimes. A quote from the book states, “Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” The notion is that it is important to learn to love you and be honest throughout the process of recovery. It is not easy.

Defining recovery with eating disorders

It appears that the research is mixed as to what defines recovery for treatment and how to measure these criteria. Based on the diagnosis, how we define recovery, and when the assessment is done makes a big difference. In addition to stopping the eating disorder behavior, other factors play a role in recovery. Such as accepting oneself, having healthy relationships, decreasing thoughts of food, resilience, and autonomy also play a role. These psychological factors  need to be taken into account.

Meanings of recovery, recovering and recovered

The terms can have very different meanings. Recovery sounds like something you are getting back. With eating disorders, you are getting yourself back, as it may seem as if your brain is being hijacked in the midst of your eating disorder. Recovering refers more to the process that is occurring and where you are along that path. Recovered sounds like you have arrived. You are done working on it.

Process of recovery is biopsychosociospiritual

Wow. That sounds like a mouthful. We start with the interaction of genes and environment as who is likely to develop an eating disorder. Those who struggle with this also typically need to align with a greater power, and a feeling that one is a part of this world. There is typically a search for meaning in one’s life, and feeling alive. These are all part of the struggles of recovery. You can see that these are not easy things to accomplish in a short period of time.

Take diversity into account

If you look at the old research on eating disorders, it’s all about young white women. Clearly this is not the world we live in. This disorder does not discriminate by race, age, gender, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation. This can affect the care of populations that are not mainstream. The lack of diversity in treatment providers may make it more difficult for people to reach out for help. Weight stigma within the field is also something that needs to be addressed. It does no help to shame people of higher weight.

Recovery takes a long time

When looking at some of psychological and physical factors of recovery, most of those with anorexia met the definition of being recovered by year 22. Those with bulimia nervosa recovered quicker. Most of them being recovered after 9 years. It is also a challenge as there are many models and forms of treatment. Some heal with extensive care others with minimal care. Thus we don’t know what the best form of treatment is.

Recovered professionals

About 20-30 percent of those who treat those with eating disorders, have recovered from one themselves. The question becomes, when is one far enough on the path of recovery to be able to treat those in the process? Clients tend to find comfort knowing that their provider has had a similar experience. Ye there is also a stigma around it and providers may not feel safe disclosing this information based on their setting of practice. If the professional is not recovered enough then it may be difficult to treat and cause greater damage to the patient.

Issue of social justice

In addition to the feminist and sociocultural perspectives of eating disorders, social justice needs to be thought of. This perspective needs to be multiculturally sensitive in order to recognize who is it helps, who it harms, and who is vulnerable. It is important to be aware of who it oppresses. Weight stigma plays a big part in this. We also need to take into account those who have privilege and how it impacts those who are don’t.

Seeking the self

Hartman (the author of this article) posits that recovery is a misnomer. One does not go back to their old way of being prior to the eating disorder. The person expands their awareness of self and their body to a higher level than before. Their sense of self has become more transcendent and they are more aware of the full range of experience.

She compares the process of recovery to the butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. The process is difficult and painful, but a beautiful being is set free in the process.

If you struggle from an eating disorder, or know someone who does therapy can be helpful. Please give me a call at 713-304-6554.

Take care,

Debbie