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Important Milestones to Be Aware of in Bulimia Recovery
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
The recovery process from bulimia is an ongoing process, something that requires continue vigilance and proactive effort. Many individuals who are in recovery may be unsure about the measure of their progress, and this can be difficult to see when you are in the battle day after day.
While changes might be subtle, every step forward is significant to the overall healing journey from a struggle with bulimia. The good news is that with professional treatment and intervention, the prognosis of those who struggle with bulimia is improved.
A research study that looked at a six year follow up of individuals who were treated for bulimia nervosa found that 60% were determined to have a good prognosis, with 30% considered partially recovered and 10% assessed to have a poor prognosis [1]. In contrast, 33% of individuals with bulimia were considered to be in remission without treatment interventions.
Markers of Recovery From Bulimia
There are several aspects that may indicate recovery is occurring and healing is progressing. For example, take the following scenarios:
Decrease in behaviors: A person who is recovering from bulimia will see a gradual decrease in behaviors associated with this eating disorder, including binging and purging.- Improvement with physical symptoms: With cessation of binging and purging comes healing and improvement with many of the physical symptoms that have occurred as a result of bulimia, including gastrointestinal distress, cardiovascular problems, electrolyte imbalances and more. This process may vary depending on severity of symptoms to begin with and can take longer for some individuals who have engaged in bulimia for a significant length of time.
- Mental stabilization: Bulimia is often associated with mood swings, personality changes, and other mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Improvement and stabilization with mental health challenges can be a strong marker of recovery from bulimia.
Decrease in behaviors: A person who is recovering from bulimia will see a gradual decrease in behaviors associated with this eating disorder, including binging and purging.Other indicators of recovery from bulimia include improvement with relationships, an ability to better function in a job or career, financial stability and more.
Staying Hopeful Through the Process
Recovering from bulimia is no easy feat, and though it can be difficult to see and acknowledge the ways you might be healing and progressing, it is important to see even the smallest steps forward. Be encouraged in your own journey and with the work you are making in your recovery. Above all, be sure to seek out the help of a professional who can guide you through this process – you are not alone!
Community Discussion – Share Your Thoughts Here!
What has encouraged you in your own recovery from bulimia?
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.
References:
[1]: Quadflieg N, Fichter MM. The course and outcome of bulimia nervosa. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003;12 Suppl 1:I99-109.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 September 28, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
