For a 30-Second Survey, we asked: If you or someone you love has lived with an eating disorder, what has helped in your recovery? Here is a selection of answers from community members.
“Residential treatment for an extended time. Living and eating with supportive others. Staying on meds. Managing triggers, ongoing therapy.”
“Going or being taken to the local mental health hospital for an evaluation and getting a health check-up.”
“For me, it was a pamphlet available in an office while in college that helped me understand my bulimia and the dangers to my body as a result of my behavior. Fearing permanent damage to my esophagus, losing my teeth or having a heart attack all but scared me straight. Since then, through the years, additional information about nutrition and learning how detrimental the American diet is to us in addition to hearing others’ stories of recovery has been very helpful. Learning to accept my body is still something I work on daily and therapy has been helpful… Reading and finding information in social media, podcasts, etc. has been of regular help.”
“Having steadfast friends who stay in touch especially during difficult times, and who don’t judge, but instead understand that EDs are illnesses, and who also understand that people living in recovery are whole and capable people, not merely disordered people.”
“Weekly therapy, nutritionist, monitored by a physician. Taking it very seriously by the medical profession helped. 1 on 1 and group therapy is SO important, and not well covered by insurance companies.”
“Residential treatment.”