What is Recovery?
One word- many journeys
Recovery is a unique and personal journey. Every person working towards recovery starts in a different place, takes a different path, and navigates the twists and turns that take them there. Recovery is the process, and is part of the journey. It is not a perfect end goal.
There are many definitions of recovery, and it means different things to everyone seeking it. However, many people agree that recovery involves working to take control of their lives, and work towards accomplishing goals and dreams (Copeland 2006). ANAD believes that recovery is possible, at any age and at any stage.
ANAD defines recovery as the following:
Recovery is the process of taking back control of one’s life and working towards a satisfactory and meaningful life no longer dominated by one’s eating disorder.
Recovered people have control of eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, maintain a nutritionally balanced lifestyle, can identify situations of personal risk, and maintain a meaningful self care practice to manage their well-being.
ANAD believes in recovery. We see it every day and know it’s real and achievable. In our recovery-oriented approach, we recognize that recovery from an eating disorder can be both clinical and personal: two separate but interwoven strands (Cook and Morgan, 2016). Clinical recovery focuses on the illness. Personal recovery focuses on the person.
Clinical Recovery
Focus on the illness
Clinical recovery means that an individual is improving based on measurable outcomes. Often, clinical recovery is achieved when healthcare professionals can say some of the following:
No longer meets the criteria required to be considered to have a clinical eating disorder.
No longer engages in eating disorder behaviors.
Behaviors are no longer a risk factor to basic well-being.
Can recognize positive attributes of one’s self, food, & body. Can share emotions and interact socially.
Personal Recovery
Focus on the person
At ANAD, we believe that recovery should focus on the person, not just the illness. Most people who have recovered from an eating disorder believe that recovery is about more than just the diagnostic criteria.
See me as a person not simply as a diagnosis of an eating disorder.
“It’s not simply going back to what life was like before. It’s growing and learning and reaching a better place.”
Recovery from an eating disorder has been described as a complex process and everyone’s journey is different, deeply personal and unique. People with eating disorders also have identified a multitude of factors in addition to therapy that contribute to personal recovery, including personal relationships, meaningful activities and positive life experiences ( Espindola & Blay, 2009; Hay & Cho, 2013; Reynen, 2012)
If recovery is a choice to pursue then it is a choice to be made repeatedly throughout the recovery process. It is an on-going process that requires sustained effort. ANAD encourages realistic expectations and understanding that recovery is not a “quick fix” but rather a long journey with lots of challenges. Part of the recovery process is understanding that set-backs and relapses are considered to be part of the recovery process and not major obstacles to recovery (Reynen, 2012).
The ANAD Approach
ANAD’s recovery-oriented approach values connection. ANAD recovery mentors and peer support group leaders are all individuals who have experienced both an eating disorder and their own recovery. They share their stories and their personal knowledge of recovery to help those currently struggling with an eating disorder. They provide empathy, understanding, and a level of connection not found from most health care professionals or even well-meaning loved ones. They have traveled the same road, and can support others on just starting their journey.
ANAD volunteers are role models, and serve as living proof that recovery is possible. Peer work is about relationships. It provides a safe, nonjudgmental environment and a sense of connected-ness when individuals are feeling isolated and alone.