Key Takeaways
- An eating disorder relapse is when a person in recovery returns to old eating disorder thoughts and behaviors.
- Relapses are often triggered by stressful life events, like starting a new job, moving away from home, or grieving the death of a loved one.
- Though relapses can be common, there are steps you can take to overcome them, including asking for help, getting support, and reflecting on your triggers.
Eating disorder recovery is an ongoing journey with lots of ups and downs. Many people experience relapses, especially when stress levels are high.
Falling back into old eating disorder patterns can feel discouraging, but there are steps you can take to get back on track and continue moving forward.
Continue reading to discover how to overcome an eating disorder relapse.
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What Is Considered an Eating Disorder Relapse?
An eating disorder relapse is when a person begins to experience a resurgence of disordered eating thoughts and habits after recovering from their eating disorder. This can occur shortly after recovery or many years later.
Often, a stressful event or significant life change can trigger an eating disorder relapse. This may include:
- Starting at a new job or school.
- Moving somewhere new.
- Pregnancy.
- Divorce.
- Death in the family.
Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder Relapse
If you or a loved one have a history of an eating disorder, there are a few relapse warning signs to look out for.
In addition to resuming old eating disorder habits, such as restricting, binging, or purging, someone experiencing a relapse may:
- Avoid eating in front of others.
- Skip meals frequently.
- Have obsessive thoughts about their body and food choices.
- Feel guilty after eating.
- Weigh themselves frequently.
- Hide their symptoms from friends and family.
Who is at risk?
Several factors have been linked with an increased risk of eating disorder relapse. People who meet the following criteria may have a higher risk of relapse:
- Lower BMI before treatment.
- More severe eating disorder symptoms.
- Longer duration of eating disorder.
- History of trauma.
- Depression.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
However, many studies on this subject have had contradictory findings, highlighting the need for more research.
Is Relapse Common in Eating Disorder Recovery?
Relapses are quite common, with 30-50% of people experiencing them in the years following eating disorder recovery.
Anorexia has the highest relapse rate of the different eating disorders.
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Can You Prevent an Eating Disorder Relapse?
A relapse has several stages: mild relapse, moderate relapse, and full relapse.
You can prevent an eating disorder relapse from progressing by working with your treatment team and loved ones to understand your relapse triggers and warning signs.
Develop a plan for what you will do during the early stages of a relapse to prevent a full relapse from happening.
This may include visits with your treatment team, talking with a trusted family member, or returning to your recovery meal plan.
Dealing with an Eating Disorder Relapse
The journey to build a positive relationship with food and your body is not always linear.
If you are struggling along your recovery path, here are a few tips that might help you overcome a relapse.
1. Ask for Help
The hardest but most effective thing you can do when experiencing a relapse is to ask for help.
Even though eating disorder symptoms can feel isolating, you were not meant to go through recovery alone.
Start by talking with someone you trust, such as a:
- Family member.
- Friend.
- Therapist.
- Dietitian.
- Doctor.
If you’re unsure where to start, or if you need help finding treatment, you can call an eating disorder helpline.
2. Get Support
After telling your care team or a loved one about your relapse, the next step is to find ways to get support.
This may look like scheduling more frequent appointments with your therapist, dietitian, or care team. Another option is to join an eating disorder support group.
Perhaps a trusted person in your household can eat meals with you and help you follow your plan.
In some cases, returning to a treatment program is necessary to overcome a full relapse.
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3. Know Your Why
It can be helpful to reflect on your reasons for recovering from your eating disorder.
It's normal to lose sight of the big picture during stressful times.
Taking time to refocus can help you to get back on track with your recovery journey.
Try writing down your reasons for recovery and posting them somewhere visible so that you can reference them often.
4. Learn From Your Relapse
After overcoming a relapse, take some time to reflect on what may have triggered it.
Work with your loved ones and healthcare team to develop a plan for preventing this from happening next time.
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Takeaway
Eating disorder relapses are common during recovery.
Though it can feel discouraging and isolating to experience a resurgence of old eating disorder habits, you can overcome a relapse.
Be aware of your triggers, such as stress or significant life changes, and create a plan for preventing future relapses.
During a relapse, lean on your support network, which may include trusted friends and family members and your eating disorder treatment team.
How a Dietitian Can Help
A registered dietitian can be part of your support team for overcoming an eating disorder relapse.
They can help you reframe disordered eating thoughts and stay on track with your recovery meal plan.
Find an eating disorder dietitian who will be there to support you when you need it most.
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