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3 Steps to Help You Stay On Track In Your Recovery From Anorexia
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
Anorexia nervosa is the most fatal of psychiatric illnesses, yet there continues to be tremendous obstacles in the way of those who seek out much needed treatment for recovery and healing.
Because anorexia is a complex illness, involving biological, psychosocial and environmental factors, the healing process requires many tools, resources, and professional assistance.
Although anorexia is a disease, the debate of the “cure” remains. It is not understood is a person can fully heal from an illness that is essentially brain based, possibly involving a genetic component.
Many professionals might rather say that an individual recovering from anorexia can be in remission, where the abnormal behaviors associated with the illness are decreased and less intense. In order to reach this point of remission and be able truly thrive in life, ongoing vigilance is required with the chronic process, especially considering the chronic nature of this disease.
Understanding the Recovery Process
Recovery from anorexia typically progress through various phases. In the earliest parts of the recovery journey, a person who is struggling with acute symptoms resulting from anorexia may require increased medical intervention and supervision. In the most severe cases of anorexia, inpatient care may be necessary for treatment of symptoms such as electrolyte imbalance, severe dehydration, lack of nutrients, starvation, malnutrition, and suicidal ideations or attempts. Even when these acute problems are addressed, recovery is essentially just beginning.
An individual recovering from anorexia may progress through various treatment levels throughout their journey, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, and outpatient care. The prognosis for those recovering from anorexia is dependent on a variety of factors, and it is estimated that the recovery process takes anywhere between four and seven years [1]. Because anorexia is a disease the impacts both the mind and body, healing occurs on multiple levels.
Long term studies on those recovering from anorexia have demonstrated that 50 to 70 percent will remain in remission from the disease while up to 25 percent will never fully recover and approximately 20 percent will lose their lives due to complications from the disorder [1].
These are sobering facts that should not be taken lightly and which further highlight the need for ongoing and professional care. Even if it feels like an uphill battle, there are several things you can do to help keep your momentum moving forward in recovery from anorexia.
Finding Ways To Keep Your Anorexia Recovery on Track
While there are many different resources that can be utilized to help maintain your recovery from anorexia, here are three suggestions to keep in mind:
1. Learn on your treatment team
Anorexia is an isolating disease, and it is easy to feel alone in your struggle. Because of the complexities with anorexia, it is important to enlist the care of specialists who can help support you every step of the way. From a psychiatrist to a dietitian to a therapist and more, there are professionals who understand what you are going through and will fight along your side through the journey.
2. Stick to your treatment plan
Eating disorders have a sneaky way of convincing that the behaviors you are engaging in are what’s best for you, such as restricting, calorie counting, over exercising, etc. While it may be difficult to refrain from the urges you experience to continue engaging in these behaviors, it is the key to fighting anorexia and becoming well again. Follow your meal plan, take your medications, heed the recommendations of your treatment. They are your guiding light during this dark and confusing time.
3. Maintain accountability and support
Even when you are feeling like things are going well, it is crucial to maintain a close accountability and support team throughout your journey. Long recovery requires ongoing vigilance and awareness of the disease and how the disorder might be affecting you. Even if it’s just a monthly check in with a mentor or joining in a support, surrounding yourself with others who care, understand, and want the best for you can help propel forward.
The journey is not easy, but it is well worth the time, energy, and effort you invest. You are worthy of living a life to the fullest!
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What do you think are important suggestions for staying on track in anorexia recovery?
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
References:
[1]: University of Maryland Medical Center, “Anorexia Nervosa”, http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/anorexia-nervosaThe opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on September 28, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
