Although it is estimated that 28.2 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives, people can and do recover from eating disorders. Recovery is a journey that is unique to each person and is not a straight path – for each step forward, there may be steps back, then forward again.  

“‘Recovery’ can mean different things to different people; for some, it may mean a complete cessation of disordered behaviors, while for others, it might mean a significant reduction in symptoms and an improvement in quality of life.” – Masha Sardari 

Life is always changing and how a person faces challenging situations and emotions will influence their journey. Ultimately, recovery from eating disorders is a life-long experience, but it is not one that you or your loved one needs to face alone.  

How to Start the Journey to Recovery from an Eating Disorder 

Recovery is possible, but it requires a safe space where the individual can feel empowered to take steps, not “forward” or “backward”, but towards personal growth and healing. Deciding to seek treatment is the first step. Depending on the severity of symptoms and how long the person has been struggling with the ED, treatment may involve dieticians, medical doctors, psychologists and a range of support systems. 

The earlier treatment begins, the better the prognosis. Importantly, mortality rates for those with an eating disorder were found to be up to 5.86 times higher than in the general population, with many deaths being related to suicide or natural causes related to the eating disorder. Seek treatment, the statistics show that recovery is possible.  

Research, Statistics and Resources on Recovery from an Eating Disorder 

Factors such as access to appropriate care, support systems, co-occurring mental health conditions, and personal motivation can all influence recovery outcomes. An integrated or holistic care program is shown to be one of the best options for treatment from an ED. 

General Recovery Rates: 

The global prevalence rates for eating disorders increased from 3.5% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018. Although estimates may vary based on the definition of recovery, it is believed that around 46% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder will fully recover.  

Specific Disorders: 

Eating disorder diagnosis has undergone many changes over the years, making it difficult to get exact data for recovery based on today’s criteria. Despite this, research can give us some idea of the rates of recovery from different eating disorders. It is important to be mindful that each person has their own risk factors, so while a general idea of how “likely” one is to recover from a specific eating disorder can be helpful, it is more a guideline than a “rule”.  

• Anorexia Nervosa: The recovery rate varies, with studies showing that between 50-70%  of patients achieve good to intermediate outcomes. However, many individuals continue to experience ongoing symptoms, with between 15-25% showing chronic symptoms. 

• Bulimia Nervosa: Some studies suggest that nearly 70% of those with bulimia will achieve recovery after treatment.  Although bulimia’s course of illness seems to follow cycles of relapse and remission. Bulimia recovery rates tend to be higher than those of anorexia nervosa. 

• Binge Eating Disorder: Recovery rates are lower for binge eating disorder, with less comprehensive data available, but many do experience significant improvements with treatment. People with BED may go through many periods of relapse and remittance before entering recovery. One meta-analysis suggests that 45% of those with BED achieve full recovery with nearly 30% of participants achieving partial remission. 

• Other Eating Disorders: Research on eating disorders has often focused on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, making it difficult to get evidence and exact statistics around other eating disorders and their rates of recovery.  

Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders can Influence Eating Disorder Recovery 

Recovery can also be influenced by co-occurring mental health conditions. Many individuals with eating disorders also suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, which can make treatment and recovery more complex. Finding a therapist and treatment facility that is equipped to treat a dual diagnosis is an extremely important consideration for effective recovery. 

Treatment and Support to Recover from an Eating Disorder 

The availability and quality of treatment play crucial roles in recovery. Integrative approaches including therapy, medical care, and nutritional guidance are vital. However, only a small percentage of those suffering from eating disorders receive adequate treatment.  If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, reach out to the team at Koru Spring today.