What Determines How Long It Takes to Overcome an Eating Disorder?
For some people, recovery may take a few months. Others may battle an eating disorder for their entire lives, even after years of treatment. The negative effects of eating disorders can be devastating, crippling, and life-threatening. For this reason, it’s paramount that a person receives the appropriate help before the harmful effects of eating disorders become permanent. The following are some of the most significant factors that can influence how long it takes to recover from an eating disorder:- The availability of treatment – Access to treatment often means people are more likely to recover from eating disorders than those without. They also recover sooner
- The severity of the eating disorder – The more severe the disorder, the longer it can take for recovery
- The person’s support system – People with strong support systems may recover more quickly than those who do not
- The person’s motivation to recover – The more motivated a person is to put in the work recovery requires, the more likely they are to succeed
Treatments for Eating Disorders and Mental Health
Some of the negative effects of eating disorders manifest as mental health conditions. In fact, mental health conditions can also be contributing factors to eating disorders. Some of the mental health conditions that can co-occur with eating disorders include the following:- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Major depressive disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Other anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders
Harmful Effects of Eating Disorders
The health consequences of eating disorders are serious. With anorexia nervosa, the body suffers from cycles of self-starvation. With bulimia nervosa, the body is impacted by chemical and electrolyte imbalances. Binge eating disorders can cause the body to suffer consequences due to obesity. Depending on the specific eating disorder, harmful health consequences can include:- Fainting and fatigue
- Severe dehydration
- Muscle loss and weakness
- Tooth decay
- Peptic ulcers
- Constipation
- Gastric rupture
- Irregular pulse
- Heart failure
- High cholesterol levels
- Overall weakness
- Type 2 diabetes
- Dry hair and skin
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Gallbladder disease
Recovery Timeline to Overcome an Eating Disorder
There is no single timeline that you can follow to recover from eating disorders. It can take months or years to recover, and backslides can be the rule rather than the exception. However, with the right treatment and support, you can shorten your recovery timeline and regain the healthy body and happy life you deserve.