Yes, recovery from an eating disorder is possible with the right treatment. Treatment includes regular therapy with a licensed therapist, nutritional guidance from a Registered Dietitian, medical evaluations and follow-up with a medical doctor, and medication management from a psychiatrist. More intensive forms of treatment include out and in-patient programs. Most people need treatment to recover from their eating disorder.
Living With An Eating Disorder
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Mrs. Marjorie Nolan Cohn , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsSee All 3 Answers -
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredDepending on the severity of the eating disorder, controlled exercise (monitored by health care professional) could be beneficial. Someone with minimal disordered eating issues could gain self-esteem and self-confidence from exercise in an uncontrolled environment. If you are going to ask a friend with an eating disorder to exercise, here are some important things to look for: excessive dieting, considerable weight loss, guilt about eating, preoccupation with food, intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and preoccupation with body shape and exercise. If you notice that your friend has one or two of these symptoms, your friend may be just starting to exhibit signs of an eating disorder and in that situation may still be in a place to be realistic about exercise. If your friend exhibits many of these symptoms then she may be closer to a more severe eating disorder. -
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredDepending on the severity of the eating disorder, controlled exercise (monitored by a healthcare professional) could be beneficial. Someone with minimal disordered eating issues could gain self-esteem and self-confidence from exercise in an uncontrolled environment. One of the biggest components of an eating disorder are addictive, unhealthy behaviors and someone with an eating disorder, when left to their own devices, would more than likely choose too much exercise. In disordered eating, the challenge for that person involved is not in the food and not in the addiction, but in the sense of control which can surface around food, sport and exercise. In a controlled setting it is important for professionals to focus on and understand how to promote proper nutritional practices, focus on fitness not body weight, be sensitive to weight issues and promote healthy management of weight.
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredExercise can be good for someone with an eating disorder. Depending on the severity of the disorder, controlled exercise (monitored by a health care professional) is good for someone who has an eating disorder. One of the biggest components of an eating disorder are the addictive, unhealthy behaviors the individual engages in, and if left alone to decide how much exercise is enough, the individual suffering from the disorder will choose too much. In disordered eating, the challenge for that person involved is not in the food and not in the addiction, but in the sense of control which can surface around food, sport and exercise. In a controlled setting it is important for professionals to focus on and understand how to promote proper nutritional practices, focus on fitness not body weight, be sensitive to weight issues and promote healthy management of weight.
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredHow much exercise is really dependent on the severity of the eating disorder. Controlled exercise (monitored by a health care professional) is good for someone who has an intermediate to extreme eating disorder. Someone with minimal disordered eating issues could gain self-esteem and self-confidence from exercise in an uncontrolled environment. One of the biggest components of an eating disorder are addictive, unhealthy behaviors and if left alone to decide how much exercise is enough, someone with an eating disorder will choose too much. In disordered eating the challenge for that person involved is not in the food and not in the addiction, but in the sense of control which can surface around food, sport and exercise. In a controlled setting it is important for professionals to focus on and understand how to promote proper nutritional practices, focus on fitness not body weight, be sensitive to weight issues and promote healthy management of weight.
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredThe severity of the disorder eating will determine whether or not someone becomes addicted to exercise. Someone with minimal disordered eating issues could gain self-esteem and self-confidence from exercise in an uncontrolled environment. Controlled exercise (monitored by a healthcare professional) is good for someone who has a intermediate to extreme eating disorder. One of the biggest components of an eating disorder are addictive, unhealthy behaviors and if left alone to decide how much exercise is enough, someone with an eating disorder will choose too much. In disordered eating the challenge for that person involved is not in the food and not in the addiction but in the sense of control which can surface around food, sport and exercise. In a controlled setting, it is important for professionals to focus on and understand how to promote proper nutritional practices, focus on fitness not body weight, be sensitive to weight issues and promote healthy management of weight.
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Dr. Doris Day, MD , Dermatology, answeredIf you suffer from anorexia or bulimia, you are wreaking havoc with your skin. Severely restricting your food intake, taking laxatives, and inducing vomiting all have profound adverse effects not only on your skin but also on your hair and nails. Of course, you are also damaging your health in general. I strongly encourage you to seek counseling. I’m counting on the fact that you will be motivated to get help now that you know that you are causing your skin to look far older than it really is. I know that’s not what you want, and I have faith that you’ll decide to get your situation under control so that you can follow all of the advice in this book and have the glowing, youthful skin you deserve. -
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersEating disorders in their extreme form seem to burrow into the brains of their victims, take over their thoughts and grow stronger every day. People with eating disorders build a “fat box,” where every comment, every situation, is filtered through the box and distorted, so that it comes out as a criticism or demand. “You look great today” becomes “You usually look fat.” “You look so healthy” becomes “You’re eating too much.” “I love your hair” becomes “I can’t find anything nice to say about the rest of you.”
EDs also take over their victims’ self-perceptions. People become unable to see the “real” image of themselves in the mirror, seeing someone much larger or with a distorted body shape. People with severe eating disorders often go to sleep thinking about food and wake up thinking about food. Every bite is an internal struggle. The “eating disorder voice” grows to be much louder than the individual’s true voice, and constantly berates and threatens. “You are a fat pig with no control!” “If you eat that cookie, you’re going to be totally disgusting!”