What are the chances of recovery?

I had an eating disorder for about 18 mth.

Then I was in recovery for about 7yr.

Now I’ve been back in my eating disorder again for about 1yr. It’s more severe this time and there’s no sign of it stopping any time soon.

I heard your chances of recovery go down the longer you have your eating disorder. Does anyone know the recovery rates?

Answer #1

Hmm… I searched and couldn’t find much on rates, but I found this… “Yes, eating disorders are treatable, and lots of people recover from them. Recovery, however, as noted above, is a difficult process that can take seven to ten years or even longer. Some people do better than others and make faster progress. The folks who do best, work with physicians and counselors who help them resolve both the medical and psychological issues that contribute to, or result from, disordered eating. (International Journal of Eating Disorders, 1997; 22:339 and Eating Disorders, 2000; 8:189)

About 80 percent of people with eating disorders who seek treatment either recover completely or make significant progress. Sadly, the rest remain chronic sufferers or they die."

all from (http://www.anred.com/tx.html)… there is a lot of information about recovery.

Answer #2

thanks :) I looked on that site and found this aout recovery…

A few people who refuse professional treatment do eventually recover, but it may take several years or even decades. Most make little or no progress without help. Up to 20 percent do not survive.

People who do get into treatment, and stick with it, in general do much better. About 50% recover completely. Another 25% make significant progress. Unfortunately, the last 25% remain chronic sufferers, even with treatment, and a few die from consequences of their disordered behaviors.

With treatment, a few people recover in a year or less. For the vast majority, though, treatment and the recovery process take three to seven years, and in some cases even longer.

Answer #3

I’ve been looking around the net for recovery and relapse rates. here’s what I gathered…

A few people who refuse professional treatment do eventually recover, but it may take several years or even decades.
Most make little or no progress without help.
Up to 20% do not survive. People who do get into treatment, and stick with it, in general do much better. About 50-60% recover completely.
Another 20-30% make progress, have partial recovery, have temporary recovery.
Unfortunately, the last 20-25% remain chronic sufferers, even with treatment, and a few die from consequences of their disordered behaviors. The mortality rate of eating disorders is 5-20%.
The mortality rate for eating disordered people having treatment is 2-3%. 60-80% of those who receive treatment for bulimia are in remission within three months. 15-25% continue to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of bulimia years later. With treatment, a few people recover in a year or less.
For the vast majority, though, treatment and the recovery process take three to seven years, and in some cases even longer. Eating disorder Relapse rates and causes Eating disorder Relapse rates vary between 30% - 81%. The greatest time of relapse is about 6-7 months after achieving partial symptom remission.
If a full year of remission can be reached without relapse, chances seem good that the individual will continue to do well. Risk for relapse for those with bulimia drops more quickly, than for anorexia. Anorexia responds best when addressed as early as possible.
Treatment is less effective and relapses more likely if treatment is delayed. People with OCD are more prone to relapses. People who do excessive exercise are more likely to relapse. those who are highly motivated are more likely to relapse soon after remission of symptoms.
As time passes, those with low motivation are more likely to relapse, than those with high motivation. those in partial remission are more likely to relapse than those who achieve a complete remission of symptoms. Those in depressive/stressful situations are more likely to relapse. Being alone and/or shutting others out raises the chance of relapse.

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