Take a complicated subject you know more about than most people, and explain it to a friend who knows nothing about it at all.
Well it seems amazing to me that today I celebrate my 200th post. I am also proud to say that is has only taken me 276 days to reach this milestone. Not a bad effort for someone who—works full-time and is writing a book.
It is the topic of my book that I thought may work well with today’s prompt—my thing is—how eating disorder recovery is possible. I have worked in the field since the 1980’s and have many years experience supporting people living with and recovering from an eating disorder. But what are they and how does one recover?
Eating disorders are psychological and physiological disorders that takes over the lives of those living with them as well as their families. They are characterised by an obsession with food, weight and body shape. There are 4 types:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Other Specific Feeding and Eating Disorders
- Binge Eating Disorders
People living with an eating disorder use a mixture of various behaviours to control their weight, numb their feelings and control their lives. Behaviours used that need to be manged in recovery are:
- Restriction
- Bingeing
- Self-induced vomiting
- Laxatives
- Excessive exercise
Recovery involves stopping the use of these behaviours and replacing them with healthy coping skills. But how?
There are 6 stages of recovery. It is an individual journey and can take between 2-7 years from the commencement of when people decide to recover. This in fact may be several years after the person was diagnosed.
The stages of recovery are:
- Nutrition Management
- Stopping Eating Disorder Behaviours
- Feelings management
- Passions
- Relationships
- Intimacy
My book—Inspiring Hope: How Eating Disorder Recovery Is Possible covers all of these areas and many more. Breaking the hold an eating disorder has is difficult. It requires addressing many individual issues some of which are initially unknown. There is no map for the journey, but it is definitely one that needs professional help. The quicker help is sought, the better. However seeking help late doesn’t mean someone is not treatable — even if you have had an eating disorder for years. Committing to recovery and connecting with a treatment team is what makes a difference. This is always hope.
