I often hear the phrase..."What do you mean by recovered?"  when someone states their new found independence from an eating disorder. 

I find this quite skeptical and potentially demeaning.  There is a culture that exists which does not believe that one can recover from addictive illness.  There is always that lingering doubt that one may not truly be recovered when they state their freedom from alcohol or other substance abuse, gambling and other addictive behaviors.

I am not certain if this view is generated by worry that the person may relapse in the future, or from a disbelief in FULL RECOVERY.

Perhaps, it is also related to the stigma that people with mental health disorders have to face.  Because there is often no singular test, blood work or few objective measures of recovery.  Medical science has allowed us to determine by taking regular blood pressures that one does not have high blood pressure, or check glucose levels for diabetes, or take an x-ray to see that a bone has healed, but at this time we don't have such tests for mental disorders.

The definition of recovery is still undefined.  Unwritten.  There are many theories about what one should exhibit, but there are no definites or group consensus.  That often leaves sufferers to decide what they believe...full recovery or management of a chronic problem.

I see this as a lifestyle choice.  If one wants to live their life believing that they will always be prone to suffering from their illness it reduces HOPE. 

We know each year that we may be susceptible to getting the flu, and may have even had the flu in the past, but we get our flu shot and hope for the best.  Those people with preexisting problems that may make them more susceptible to the flu such as poor immunological status, lung disease, or have to have interaction with others with flu know that they must take extra care to prevent getting ill.  And yet, despite their best efforts, someone may still get the flu.  We don't blame them, we treat them.

While I apologize for drawing parallels to influenza, we could take some lessons:  
1.  Identify those at higher risk for eating disorders.
2.  Reduce the likelihood  of illness through regular checkups in the form of therapy, nutrition and psychiatrist visits.
3.  If illness does occur, treat promptly and compassionately.
4.  Maintenance and follow up.


After that, feel free to live your life!


Check out my recovery website at http://edrsweb.org