From Survival to Strength: My Ongoing Journey Through Recovery and Motherhood
By Lucia Garcia
Hi! My name is Lucia Garcia. I am a 33-year-old mom who has been in recovery from an eating disorder for more than ten years. I am also the daughter of Venezuelan immigrant parents, who had little understanding of eating disorders or their impact on mental health. As a child, I was energetic and active, trying nearly every sport before ultimately focusing on golf, which I went on to play at the collegiate level during my first year of college.
The Onset of My Eating Disorder
At age 22, while working toward my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I was diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia, and an anxiety disorder. Due to the severity of my illness, I was suspended from college for poor academic performance, which became the turning point that allowed me to focus on recovery. My disorder deeply affected both me and my family, straining relationships in ways I never imagined. I lost most of my friendships and withdrew from social life, leaving me feeling isolated, purposeless, and disconnected from myself.
The Hard Work of Recovery
Recovery was not easy. I spent years in intensive therapy (three times a week for several hours), while also seeing a nutritionist and psychiatrist, all while working two jobs. Over time, I was able to return to school, complete my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and eventually earn a master’s degree in forensic psychology, something I once thought would never be possible.
Building a Life in Recovery
Today, I serve as the Quality Improvement (QI) Manager at a nonprofit behavioral health managing entity in my County in Florida, supporting mental health and substance use providers. I am deeply enthusiastic about my work, and I know the dedication, struggles, and resilience it took in my recovery to get here. I have been married for four years, and my husband and I have a two-year-old daughter. Parenting while eating disorder recovery has been both rewarding and challenging. It is something I continue to actively navigate by making sure our family has the education, community, and support we need.
New Chapters and Continuing Growth
More recently, I was diagnosed with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which brought clarity and validation to many challenges I have faced since childhood, particularly those related to my eating disorder and anxiety. Restarting treatment has been another important step in my healing journey. I was also recently diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which has influenced my recovery in unexpected ways. Managing these additional diagnoses has required me to learn new tools and strategies to navigate my evolving lifestyle and overall mental health. During this transitional period, I have consciously chosen to seek additional recovery support to guide me through this new chapter, as a mother, wife, sister, and daughter, ensuring that my recovery remains a priority and that I continue to be the best version of myself for both myself and my family.
I am naturally curious and have always loved learning about psychology, human behavior, and connection. I continue to read research, listen to podcasts, and engage with professionals in the field, yet eating disorders remain the subject that resonates with me most.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, my long-term goal is to become a recovery mentor and support group leader within the eating disorder community and continue to be as involved as I can with the eating disorder community. I am especially passionate about supporting mothers in recovery and helping them navigate the challenges of parenting and motherhood while maintaining their own recovery.
There are so many other factors and details to my eating disorder story, but I feel like this encapsulates my eating disorder experience, which I am so proud to share with everyone.
