Changes in Body Image in Long Term Eating Disorder Recovery

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

For many individuals who are struggling with an eating disorder, body image concerns are often part of the disease. In some instances, body image concerns were a precursor to the eating disorder itself.

For example, a person with low self-esteem or poor body image may have attempted to “fix” aspects of themselves or their appearance through dieting measures, which could have exacerbated the eating disorder.

In other situations, abnormal eating behaviors will result in malnutrition, which can worsen body image concerns and intensify any previous body image distortions. In any situation, body image concerns are important to address while in recovery.

Focusing on Recovery

It is not uncommon to hear, “If I looked better I will do ______”, or “When I get to my ideal body weight, I can then _____”, but living and thriving in life cannot be hinged on our appearance.

Whether disordered eating behaviors are used in attempt to change appearance or not, concerns about body image often have to be placed on the back burner in the early phases of recovery. One cannot properly address poor body image, low self-esteem, or body distortions while in the throes of eating disorder behaviors or if malnourished.

Other aspects of recovery must take precedent, like re-feeding the body, stabilization from any medical concerns, and so forth. Focusing on healing the body allows an individual in recovery from an eating disorder to also begin healing their mind as well, as the two work together.

If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, it is important to walk through the process with the understanding that body image concerns are often the last piece of the puzzle and take longer to address.

Body Image in the Long Term

For many people, body image concerns continue long after being established in recovery. The process of building a positive body image is one that occurs gradually over time – no quick fixes. Adjusting expectations can be helpful in the process.

It may feel discouraging if you continue to deal with poor body image as you walk through your recovery day after day, but know that is something that is achieved with continued commitment to long term recovery from your eating disorder.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What do you think are some of the challenging aspects of body image while in recovery?

About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating.

Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 25, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com