How do I know if I have recovered from bulimia?

This entry was posted in Bulimia Awareness on by .

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

The process of recovering from bulimia is one that requires a lifelong commitment to the journey. There are many different opinions on when someone who has an eating disorder might be recovered or even if fully recovery is possible. Because eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa, are chronic psychiatric illnesses, it is difficult to point to a specific time that makes a person officially “recovered”.

For many individuals who struggle with bulimia nervosa, recovery is more about effectively managing the disease and ultimately, improving overall quality of life.

When it comes to bulimia, there are many factors that may indicate a person is in recovery from this eating disorder. Some of these include cessation of active eating disorder behaviors connected with the disease.

For a person who is dealing with bulimia, this may mean that there is no longer binging and purging or the engagement in any other types of compensatory mechanisms, such as excessive laxative or diuretic use or compulsive exercise.

Co-occurring Issues

girl with dog -1160441_640x426A person who is in recovery from bulimia will also have improvement with medical symptoms as well as be emotionally and psychologically stable. It is not uncommon for other mental illnesses to co-occur with bulimia, such as anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and more. Recovery should involve the management of all co-occurring issues in addition to the bulimia to help ensure that a person is better able to function and thrive in life.

An individual in recovery should also have improved methods for coping with difficult and overwhelming situations. This is a skill that is typically developed with the assistance of health care professionals, such as a counselor or therapist, and the application of various forms of behavioral therapy.

A person in recovery from bulimia should also be able to nourish their bodies adequately, eat appropriate amounts to sustain a weight that is normal for their stature, and be better able to cope with body image uncertainties or insecurities. Recovery also means knowing when you need help and being able to stay connected to support that helps keep accountability and sustain recovery efforts for the long-run.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

Are you in recovery from bulimia? If so, what has encouraged you to maintain your recovery for the long-term? What feedback might you have for others who are beginning their recovery journey from bulimia?

Crystal Headshot 2About 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.

The 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 March 8, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com