Will My Eating Disorder Be A Lifelong Battle?

The false notion that eating disorders are a lifelong battle or a “life sentence” can prevent many from initiating treatment or achieving desired results. As eating disorder therapists, we are often faced with the questions like:

• Will I every fully recover? Or will it be a lifelong battle?
• Is there a “cure” for my eating disorder?
• Does eating disorder treatment have to go on for years?

A recent study [1] from the Journal for Clinical Psychiatry challenges this discouraging myth. Kamryn Eddy, PhD, one of the researchers who published the report, is quoted, “Roughly two thirds of women with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa will eventually recover.” She continues, “For the 20 million women (and 10 million men) reportedly struggling with clinically significant eating disorders in the US, this represents hope.” [2]

Here at Columbus Park, we welcome people new to treatment and re-invigorate those who have lost hope in recovery.

We witness a common thread among the patients at the start of treatment: the belief that “food and body define [one’s] existence” is woven into the clients’ self-image. As treatment progresses and change is made, we witness clients reframe their thoughts and come to recognize that food is only one component of their larger, healthy life picture. Dr. Eddy’s experiences parallel what we see; Eddy references one client in her study who reported “life became more full, and there just wasn't room on my plate anymore for the eating disorder.” Dr. Eddy continues, “While the road to recovery is often winding, most people ultimately get better.”At Columbus Park, we utilize a variety of evidence-based treatments to ensure that you are in the driver’s seat as you navigate this winding road to a full life. Our treatment is typically short-term – six months to a year. Treatment, change, and, ultimately, recovery, are possible, right here in your home setting.

Not only should you feel hopeful that recovery is possible, but you should know that your eating disorder is not a lifelong battle.

Treatment does not – and should not – go on and on indefinitely. Consider reaching out to learn more about our eating disorder treatment program in New York. And remember that anorexia and bulimia are treatable conditions. If you are still skeptical as to whether eating disorders can be resolved, click here to see my recent blog on Columbus Park’s 2016 outcomes. You can see the actual data representing the healing we see at our center every day.[1] Eddy KT, Tabri N, Thomas JJ, Murray HB, Hastings E, Edkins K, Krishna M, et al. Recovery From Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa at 22-Year Follow-Up. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2016.[2] https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-12-women-anorexia-bulimia-recover.htmlAdditional Links:https://www.medicaldaily.com/will-i-have-anorexia-or-bulimia-my-whole-life-eating-disorders-study-says-most-406974https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-12-women-anorexia-bulimia-recover.htmlhttps://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/article/Pages/2016/aheadofprint/15m10393.aspxhttps://www.teenvogue.com/story/eating-disorder-recover-possible-for-most-women