Eating disorder recovery stories - provided to inspire you in your own eating disorder recovery. Know that the people who have shared here understand how difficult, and even impossible, recovery can seem. They can relate to giving up, losing important things in their lives to the eating disorder, feeling others don't understand what they're experiencing and being afraid of a life without the eating disorder.
These writers can also share, though, how they found hope to recover. Each one uncovered and worked through underlying issues, faced fears, stumbled and fell, but got back up again. They took both forward and backward steps, and yet each one now lives a life without an eating disorder.
May these stories give you hope and encouragement that you can recover from your own eating disorder one day. Each person has also offered some words of encouragement for you. Take it all in.
Anorexia Recovery Story My Journey to Freedom
By Laurie
I was anorexic for 6 years as an adult. It started following a series of losses, difficult circumstances, and years of dealing with undiagnosed health problems. In addition, I’d been giving and giving to others. Over time, I felt worn on all levels. I tried to tell others this was a difficult time for me, but they didn’t have anything to say. I tried talking to a couple of different counselors and each of them just made things worse. Feeling everything inside and around me was out of control, I sought control by limiting my food intake. I’d studied eating disorders so I knew what I was doing, but I felt powerless to stop it. I didn’t take it seriously at first and reasoned I would just do it temporarily to get through a difficult time. I was already depressed and suicidal, and for a time I saw the eating disorder as a slow way to take my life.
I’d been afraid to release my inner pain, but those unexpressed feelings only kept me bound to anorexia. I had to take the risk and start letting out my feelings. I spent countless hours in tears and there were times I didn’t even know where the tears came from, but I knew I had to release them. I also spent countless hours writing in my journal. This was vital for me because as I wrote down my thoughts and feelings, I gained new insights and discovered thoughts and feelings I didn’t even realize I had. Eventually I found healing through those tear-stained pages. As I experienced more peace in my heart, I was less drawn to restricting as well as less concerned about my weight and body image. I wrote verses, quotes and other truthful statements on note cards in order to combat the lies and negative thoughts that were feeding the eating disorder. This was an effective way to change my thinking which led to changing my behavior.
I didn’t know how much to eat anymore. Therefore, I obtained a meal plan from a dietitian and learned to eat a healthy, balanced diet. I relied on the Lord to strengthen me.
Once I finally decided I truly wanted to break free of the eating disorder, I let Him lead my journey. Without Him, I wouldn’t have found the freedom I now embrace.
I share other pieces of my recovery in the personal notes to the reader that I included in my book, Journey to Freedom from Eating Disordersas well as in the chapters ofGive God Your Eating Disorder. I also share more about my personal recovery experience when I counsel others. If you're interested in learning more about my counseling services, see theChristian Counselingpage.
Encouragement for Others
Set small, manageable goals in order to reach your long-term recovery goals. The very common all or nothing mindset doesn’t usually work well in eating disorder recovery. This journey is completed one step at a time.
Arm yourself with truth and positive thoughts in order to combat the lies and negative thoughts that feed the eating disorder.
Be gentle with yourself. Learn from your slips and celebrate your victories.
