Recovery from Eating Disorders

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This is one of the most frequently asked questions – and it’s one of the hardest ones to answer.  Because eating disorders are complex and variable conditions, and because everyone’s journey of recovery is individual and unique, there truly is no set time to recovery.   For a few fortunate people, recovery is quick – a matter of months. For the majority, recovery from an eating disorder is a much longer process, for some taking years.   

There is good evidence that generally, the quicker you start treatment for an eating disorder, the shorter the time will be until you are recovered.  However, try to remember  that anyone can recover, even if you have been experiencing your eating disorder for a long time.

It is important to remember that recovery is a journey, not an end-point.  You may find it   more helpful to focus on the process of recovery than to think about if or when you will ‘get there’ – especially as you may not know where ‘there’ is.   

Recovery can be a rocky road, and the journey is often interrupted by ‘set-backs’ or relapses on the way  (ie return of disordered eating behaviours and/or unhelpful thoughts).   Try to understand that, while frustrating, these too are a normal part of the recovery process.  A relapse may set you back a step or two, but as long as you are focused on recovery, you are still making progress.  

Some people never feel ‘fully recovered’ from an eating disorder, but find that they can regain a satisfying, hopeful, fulfilling life while still ‘recovering’.  For these people, the process of recovery is ongoing.  But many others do fully recover.  Just as the journey is individual and unique, so is the concept of ‘full recovery’.  Only you will know when you are fully recovered.

Last Updated: March 2009