Stories about eating disorder treatment and recovery from individuals and the parents who support them
We’re proud to have gathered a variety of recovery stories contributed by both people in recovery and their parents who supported them.
These stories offer firsthand accounts of different families’ distinct paths towards overcoming an eating disorder. They demonstrate that while recovery is a personal journey, it is indeed possible and attainable.
We hope that reading these personal stories about people who have recovered from an eating disorder and the parents who supported them will offer you encouragement, understanding, useful strategies, and contribute to a more accepting and supportive environment for eating disorder treatment and recovery.
These Recovery Stories Offer:
❤️ Inspiration and hope: Reading about others who have successfully recovered from an eating disorder or parented a child in recovery can provide inspiration and hope for anyone who is currently struggling. These stories show that recovery is possible and give you a sense of optimism and motivation.
❤️ Validation and understanding: Hearing about others’ experiences can provide validation and a sense of understanding. These stories of eating disorder recovery will help you realize that you are not alone in your struggles and your feelings and experiences are valid.
❤️ Strategies for coping: Recovery stories share the strategies, coping mechanisms, and treatment approaches that others have found helpful in overcoming their eating disorder. Reading these stories gives you practical tips and ideas for managing symptoms and promoting recovery.
❤️ Less stigma: Reading stories about others who have successfully recovered from eating disorders can help reduce the stigma surrounding disordered eating. It allows for a more open and empathetic discussion about eating disorders and encourages a supportive and inclusive community.
Eating Disorder Recovery Stories
My daughter had an eating disorder I’d never heard of
This is a first-person story written by a mom who discovered her daughter has OSFED, the most common but little-recognized eating disorder with serious repercussions. Learn how she navigated finding…
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True (and painful) stories of complex trauma and eating disorders
Complex trauma is trauma that happens over a long period of time, often beginning in early childhood, and it’s strongly associated with eating disorders. Traumatic experiences range from physical and…
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Eating disorders, orthorexia, and recovery
by Mimi Cole In this article, Mimi Cole tells us about eating disorders, orthorexia, and recovery. Mimi has lived experience with all three and is pursuing her Masters in Clinical…
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My story: perfectionism and eating disorders
In this personal story written by Emily Formea we learn about the link between perfectionism and eating disorders. She has some wonderful advice for parents facing similar challenges. I struggled…
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Real stories about ARFID from parents who know
Parents who have kids with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) face challenges not just in feeding their kids and keeping them healthy, but also in accessing treatment. ARFID is an…
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A mother’s perspective: insights and experience gained in supporting my daughter in her recovery
Eating disorders are not well understood, isolating, frustrating, and painful. And that goes for the person who has it as well as the people who love and support that person.…
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Our 13-year-old daughter’s powerful anorexia story
This is a story about a 13-year-old teenager who developed anorexia and how her family worked to overcome the eating disorder with Family Based Treatment, or FBT. This is an…
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My adult child hid her eating disorder for years
by Anonymous I thought I had a strong, well-adjusted child, until I found out that she hid an eating disorder from me for years. I’m still struggling with my guilt…
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An eating disorder is more than a weight-based illness
by Therese Roeser I was raised in a home where there seemed to exist a great deal of permission around food. There was a large variety of food available in…
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Free Guide: How Parents Can Help A Child With An Eating Disorder
Master the secrets to supporting a child with an eating disorder. Thousands of families like yours are stronger today because of these six vital lessons drawn from lived experience, best practices, and extensive study.