Recovering from an eating disorder is a process that involves diligence, perseverance, and support from people and professionals who know best how to help you. The eating disorder recovery journey is highly individual and will look different from person to person. A common experience in recovery is relapse — a temporary regression to past eating disorder behaviors.
While eating disorder relapses do not mean that a person has somehow “failed” at recovery, the experience of a relapse could reflect that more help and support are needed along the recovery journey.
While an eating disorder relapse doesn’t mean failure in recovery, it may suggest a need for additional support. Research on eating disorder relapse is limited, but studies published in BMC Psychiatry found the risk of relapse to be higher among women with more severe eating disorders, with relapse rates often highest within the first 18 months post-treatment.
Understanding Eating Disorder Relapse
Just as every eating disorder recovery journey is unique, the experience of relapse will look different for each person. While there’s currently no standardized definition of relapse, certain red flags can indicate a return to past eating disorder behaviors, according to research from Journal of Eating Disorders. Recognizing these warning signs in yourself is important for early intervention and ensuring you connect to the support needed to maintain your eating disorder recovery.
Because eating disorders affect multiple aspects of your life — including physical health, emotional and mental well-being, relationships, and more— regularly assessing these areas can help determine if additional support is needed. For example, someone recovering from anorexia may appear to be physically healthy (i.e., weight restored, eating regularly and a balanced variety of foods, etc.), but if they are struggling with intense body negativity, anxiety, or depression, these signs should not be overlooked, as more help might be needed.
Signs You Need Care for an Eating Disorder Relapse
Part of maintaining long-term eating disorder recovery involves taking an honest look at where you are, proactively caring for yourself, and being willing to ask for help when you need it.
The process of recovering from an eating disorder is not something to be “perfected” or a journey that you need to be on alone. Even after months or years of treatment, you may experience a relapse — and that is OK. Eating disorder recovery is often described as two steps forward and one step back. No matter the direction you are moving in, you are still making progress toward freedom and a life restored from what an eating disorder may have taken from you.
In some cases, an eating disorder relapse may be brief and manageable. In others, it may be more severe and escalate into a situation that feels overwhelming. Remember, a relapse is not a failure or an indication that you won’t continue to recover. What’s important is to seek the support you need to get back on track. Watch for these signs of eating disorder relapse that might indicate the need for additional support:
1. You’re struggling to properly feed yourself.
Recognizing Difficulty With Nutrition
One of the most significant signs of a potential eating disorder relapse is difficulty feeding yourself adequately. If you find it challenging to maintain a balanced meal plan, meet nutritional needs, or experience significant weight fluctuations, it’s crucial to pay attention. A balanced diet is essential for both physical and mental health during eating disorder recovery; neglecting this can lead to serious health risks, such as nutrient deficiencies, weakened immunity, and low energy levels.
If meal planning feels overwhelming, or if you’re unable to eat enough food to sustain yourself, it may be time to seek professional help. Nutrition goes beyond food itself; it’s about building a stable relationship with nourishing your body. Inadequate nutrition can interfere with recovery progress and may cause setbacks, so addressing it promptly is vital.
2. You’ve lost interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Recognizing Loss of Interest in Previously Enjoyed Hobbies and Social Events
If you’re finding it hard to engage in activities or hobbies you once loved, it may indicate that eating disorder symptoms are resurfacing. Activities that previously brought joy — like exercise, socializing, or creative outlets — might now feel unimportant, exhausting, or anxiety-inducing. This shift can be a sign that your relationship with food or your body is taking precedence or that you’re isolating yourself to avoid the fear or shame associated with eating or body image.
Social isolation is common in individuals with eating disorders and often precedes more intense symptoms like food restriction, binge eating, or purging. It’s crucial to recognize these changes early and re-engage with the supportive activities that were once fulfilling to you. Staying connected with your loved ones and participating in meaningful social engagements and connections can provide motivation and help prevent further relapse.
3. You’re neglecting self-care.
Signs of Declining Self-Care in Eating Disorder Recovery
Self-care is essential in eating disorder recovery. If you neglect hygiene, exercise, or skip regular medical and therapy appointments, it may indicate that food and body image concerns are overshadowing your ability to care for yourself. Proper self-care involves nourishing your body, maintaining hygiene, staying active in restorative ways, and maintaining emotional and physical health. These practices help build resilience and improve your overall well-being.
When eating disorder behaviors resurface, they often lead to a decline in self-care, whether through food obsession or avoidance of discomfort. Neglecting self-care can exacerbate health struggles and disrupt balance, so it’s important to reestablish these essential routines.
4. Poor eating behaviors have reemerged.
Recognizing the Return of Eating Disorder Behaviors
One of the most concerning signs of eating disorder relapse is the reappearance of old, maladaptive eating behaviors — like restrictive eating, excessive calorie counting, binging, or purging behaviors (e.g., vomiting, excessive exercise); this is a clear indication that more support is needed. These behaviors not only disrupt your physical health but can undermine the progress you’ve made in your recovery journey.
Eating disorder behaviors can be sneaky, sometimes showing up subtly, such as a sudden focus on “clean” eating or exercising excessively to “burn off” food. Staying vigilant to these tendencies is important. If these behaviors resurface, additional treatment or therapy may be necessary to get back on track and prevent a full relapse.
5. Obsessive thoughts about weight and food have returned.
Managing Intrusive Thoughts About Food and Body Image
While occasional thoughts about food, body image, or weight are common in recovery, persistent, obsessive thoughts that are difficult to control may indicate relapse. Such thoughts about food and body image are hallmarks of eating disorders, and addressing them immediately can prevent them from taking over your mental space.
When eating disorder thoughts become intrusive, it can feel overwhelming and exhausting and lead to unhealthy behaviors like restricting, over-exercising, or avoiding social situations due to body image concerns. If these thoughts are becoming all-consuming, it’s crucial to seek help from a mental health professional who specializes in eating disorders. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help break these patterns and empower you to regain control.
Levels of Care for Eating Disorders at The Meadows Seasons
At The Meadows, we offer a range of tailored care levels to meet each patient’s needs. From highly supportive Residential Care for those requiring 24/7 monitoring to Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) that provide structured therapy and nutritional counseling in a less intensive setting, our tiered approach ensures patients receive the right care at every stage of their recovery journey. This promotes stability and fosters independence as they progress.
You Can Never Have Too Much Support On Your Journey
Eating disorder recovery is a complex, ongoing process that requires continuous support. It’s essential to recognize when something feels off and address it early by seeking professional help. Recovery isn’t linear — setbacks and challenges are common along the way. If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned red flags, it may be time to seek additional support, whether through therapy, working with a nutritionist, or entering a higher level of care, such as an inpatient or outpatient program.
Eating Disorder Relapse Prevention and Hope for Recovery
Part of eating disorder relapse prevention is ensuring you have the right treatment from the start. Wherever you may be in the process of recovering from an eating disorder, it’s never too late to connect to the help and support you need. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or experiencing a setback after years of treatment, professional intervention can help you regain your footing. With the right support, you can build the skills necessary to maintain your progress. You deserve lasting recovery, and the opportunity to experience the fullness life has to offer.
At The Meadows Seasons, we understand the ups and downs of eating disorder recovery and are here to guide you through them. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Contact us today to learn how we can help with your recovery, help with an eating disorder relapse prevention plan, or get you back on track after a relapse.
