Coping with Grief in Eating Disorder Recovery — Sendspace

2 min readMay 30, 2023

Recovering from an eating disorder can be an emotional and challenging journey. It is common for individuals to feel a sense of loss and grief during the transition from their previous lifestyle to a healthier one. In this article, we will explore the experience of grieving in eating disorder recovery and provide guidance on how to cope with these emotions.

Understanding Grief in Eating Disorder Recovery

Grief is a natural emotional response to a significant loss and can manifest in a range of intense and complex feelings, such as sadness, regret, and apprehension about the future. In eating disorder recovery, individuals may experience grief as they navigate the emotional impact of living with (and subsequently, without) an eating disorder. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can be characterized by disordered eating patterns, negative body image, and a range of physical and emotional symptoms.

For some individuals, an eating disorder can serve as a coping mechanism to deal with feelings of grief or trauma. The sense of control, daily routine or structure, physical image, or reliable coping skill provided by the disorder can become a source of comfort, making it difficult to let go of these behaviors. Recovery from an eating disorder requires a complete reorganization of how someone approaches and deals with their emotions, which can lead to feelings of grief and loss.

Coping with Grief in Eating Disorder Recovery — Sendspace

Understanding Grief in Eating Disorder Recovery

Written by Thirahealth