Thousands of illness and disease exist with
new conditions arising yearly. Each diagnosis
presents with a unique set of signs and symptoms, shifts in blood work, or test
results. Various treatment plans take
place. One commonality does exist. . .
Recurrence or Relapse
Once a diagnosis claims a life, the risk for
exacerbation to occur again increases.
High blood pressure? Medicines
can control; but, situations in life could overpower the medicine effect. Cancer?
Chemo can kill all the cancer cells; but overtime good cells may end up
losing the battle again.
Depression? This condition could
feel like a roller coaster even with medication; times are good, symptoms
remain at bay; times get rough, symptoms take over a life.
Eating disorders are not exempt from relapse
or recurrence. Life can hit hard and the
individual walking down the road of recovery can crash. Standing back up, shook by life’s struggles,
the individual may veer back down a familiar, comfortable path. The only coping mechanism known involves food. The coping methods result in self-abuse; but
at least the individual avoids the emotions from the struggle in life. Numbing out is the goal. Comfort, though unhealthy, is the
desire.
Remaining in recovery is hard enough. Throw in a hardship in life and the
individual is pushed beyond their limits.
Something has got to give! Relief
must be found in some way, shape or form!
Life cannot be manipulated or changed.
Hardships enter beyond any control of the individual. Therefore, the eating disorder takes over
again. The individual can control food
intake, exercise regimens, thoughts of self, purging, binging, etc. Or so they think!
The eating disorder lures an individual in and
gives a sense of control. Emotions begin
to numb. At first, the individual feels
in control while the world around spins out of control. Over time, the individual actually possesses
no control. The eating disorder takes over
Every. Single. Thought. Relapse sneaks
in, grabs the healthy individual and holds on tight.
Just because individuals walk the path of recovery
for X amounts of years, does not mean they aren’t fighting each day to remain on
that path. It takes strength to remain
steady in this rocky world. It takes
perseverance to choose healthy habits.
It takes courage to continue speaking out when life becomes
overwhelming.
The longer one travels on the road of
recovery, the stronger they become. A
keener vision develops with ability to recognize triggers. It doesn’t make them exempt from relapse. Keep supporting, praying and remain in
friendship with those recovering. Stay
aware of relapse signs. The quicker we
can catch one from falling; the greater a chance exists for them to get back up
and remain on the path to recovery.
Recovery from an
eating disorder can take months, even years. Slips, backslides, and relapse
tend to be the rule, rather than the exception. Re-learning normal eating
habits and coping skills can take a long period of time and often requires lots
of support from professionals, friends, and family. Moving forward is key,
however slow it might be.
People struggling with
an eating disorder have to address any immediate medical concerns caused by
their disorder, work on reducing or eliminating eating disordered behaviors,
address co-occurring issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma, and then
develop a plan to prevent relapse. Some psychologists call recovery the process
of creating a life worth living. Overcoming food and eating concerns during
recovery is a central goal, but it’s far from the only task of recovery.
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Live life. . .One Day at a
time!
Sheree Craig
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