Coping With Family Changes During Eating Disorder Treatment

Family in recovery at the beach

Because of the complexity of eating disorders and the severity of symptoms that often result from these diseases, treatment must be specialized and consistent. Many individuals healing from an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, often require treatment at an acute level of care, such as inpatient, residential, or partial care hospitalization.

Length of time within these levels of care can vary based on the severity of symptoms being experienced. Reaching physical, psychological and mental stabilization is a key factor to transitioning to lower levels of care.

Managing Changes Away From Home

Higher levels of care that require a person to “live” in a facility are beneficial in that an individual is monitored on a 24/7 basis while receiving the professional care and interventions needed for healing and recovery.

In some instances, a person may remain in these types of facilities for months at a time, especially in the most acute cases of eating disorders. In this situation, it can be difficult coping with the disconnection that is often experienced. Limited engagement with the “outside world” can feel isolating and lonely at times.

While family is typically encouraged to be involved, visit, and communicate on a regular basis, a result of not seeing and engaging with family members on a normal basis can feel distancing. You may feel like the outside, unsure about what is happening within the family or unable to stay connected to relationships that are meaningful and important. You may only hear of things though not feel part of a family unit as you once were during this time in treatment.

Understanding Priorities and Treatment

Even if inpatient or residential treatment is shorter than expected, making a transition to lower levels of care can be difficult after a period of separation from family members and friends. In many ways, this separation is needed and intentional to support someone in recovery and allowing the focus that is needed for healing.

Family overlooking the oceanThis may be especially true in the instance that familial stressors have been triggering to the eating disorder. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of catching up with changes on the homefront while managing your eating disorder, it is important to work through these feelings and the potential situations you might encounter.

Your transition team will be key to helping you successfully move between levels of care and re-integrate into your home life when the time is appropriate. As with any change, transitions can be challenging at times but leaning on the support of your treatment team can provide you with the resources you need to navigate these changes.


Crystal Headshot 2About 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 Director of Content and Social Media 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 December 27, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com