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What to Know About Anorexia Nervosa Recovery: A Journey of Compassion, Courage & Hope

By: Gabrielle Morreale, LPC


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If you’re reading this, you might be in the early days of recovery from Anorexia Nervosa - or you’re supporting someone who is. Either way, I want to speak to you from a place of warmth, understanding, and belief that change is possible. I’ll weave in what the experts say, share a bit of personal reflection, and highlight key phrases and resources to help you or your loved one along the path. This isn’t a “quick fix” blog - recovery is a process, but you don’t have to walk it alone.



1. Understanding the disorder and admitting the eating disorder — the first step in recovery


Anorexia nervosa isn’t just “dieting gone wrong.” It’s a complex mental & physical health condition with serious risks. From my experience as a survivor and eating disorder therapist: admitting there is a problem can be pivotal in recovery. It is not only brave, but it is lifesaving to own our shit and admit there is a problem. Some common signs of anorexia are extreme food restriction, excessive exercise, fear of gaining weight, cold hands, hair loss or loss of menstrual cycle. These are just a few, you can learn more here. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa


Also, despite what diet culture may tell us, eating disorders, including anorexia, do not have a size. In fact, only about 6% of those struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating are underweight. Additionally, there are two types of anorexia. There is the restrictive type, which is the one we most commonly think of, and the binge purge type. You can learn more about binge eating here. 


When it comes to admitting we may be struggling, this is one of the first steps to healing. This step is tender, it is sensitive, and it is brave! This part of recovery, like most components of recovery, will look different for everyone. However, this brave step can open pathways to true healing. 


2. Recovery is possible — even though it takes time


It may sound cliché: “Recovery is possible.” But it’s worth saying, because sometimes you need to hear it when the thoughts are heavy and let’s be honest they often get heavy. That said: Recovery takes times…an abundance of time for some of us! Here is a podcast I had the privilege of doing with the amazing Sarah Herstich, the owner of Reclaim Therapy, where we discuss healing and recovery. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-complex-trauma-podcast/id1685884946?i=1000646205469


As an eating disorder expert, walking along clients no matter how long it takes is an honor and privilege. As therapist, we know it will take time, and as humans, it is always ok to need a soft place to land, especially as we work on making peace with food and our bodies.  


3. What the recovery journey really involves


Here are key pillars of what recovery from anorexia often requires:

  • Medical & nutritional restoration: Having a doctor who understands eating disorders as well as an eating disorder RD can be a game-changer. This will allow your psychical well being to be monitored as you restore and navigate recovery. 

    • At Recovered & Restored, our Registered Dietitian, Rachel Dodson, RD, LDN, brings compassion and clinical expertise to every session. She works closely with clients and medical providers to ensure your physical well-being is monitored throughout the restoration process, supporting you as your body heals and your relationship with food begins to feel safe again. Rachel’s HAES-aligned, non-diet approach helps clients rebuild trust with their bodies while learning to nourish themselves without fear, guilt, or rigidity. Together with your therapist, she helps create a care plan that balances medical stability, nutrition, and emotional growth, so recovery feels grounded, not overwhelming.

  • Therapy: Should be individualized and will help you make peace with foodyou’re your body. Some common areas therapy may help in the healing process are identifying distorted beliefs (“my worth is my weight” “ I need to be thin to be loved” etc…) , coping with anxiety about eating/gaining, working on self-compassion, healing from trauma and much more. 

  • Support network: Whether family, friends, a recovery group or therapist — you don’t have to go it alone. There is healing in community! (We promise =))

  • Relapse-prevention mindset: Recovery isn’t a straight line. Self-compassion and grace go a long way. Check out one of our blogs on self-compassion in eating disorder recovery. https://www.recoveredandrestoredtherapy.com/post/embracing-self-compassion-in-life-and-eating-disorder-recovery-tips-from-a-recovered-new-jersey-eat


 I tell my clients often, the more we “control” food the more it controls us. Additionally, some of the hard changes our bodies may go through in recovery only help us reconnect to ourselves and our bodies in a safe way. We can’t fight biology, and bodies are meant to change it truly is ok! 



4. Practical steps you can start today


Here are a few gentle actions to try and take (or share with someone) whether you’re at the start or wherever you are in your journey:

  • Reach out for professional help if you haven’t: We acknowledge this is easier said then done, however it may change your life and recovery for the better. My team and I are here to help. https://www.recoveredandrestoredtherapy.com

  • Establish a meal plan or regular eating pattern with an RD. https://www.recoveredandrestoredtherapy.com/dietitian-nutrional-counseling-services

  • Identify one or two trusted people you can turn to when the fear rises — share your feelings. We are not meant to do life alone. Having people as you heal from anorexia can be life saving. 

  • Write, draw, paint, voice record whatever works for you three things you appreciate about yourself not linked to weight/shape. Build your identity outside of your disorder. 

  • Practice a simple form of self-care: maybe a bath, a walk, reading something uplifting. https://www.verywellmind.com/self-care-strategies-overall-stress-reduction-3144729

  • When you have a scary food or eating scenario ahead, plan one small step to face it — even if it feels tiny. Any little step towards recovery is brave. YOU ARE BRAVE!!!


5. Where to go for further help & resources


In closing: If you’re reading this and you feel the pain of anorexia, I see you. You are not alone. The journey may be long. It may have tears. It may feel uncertain. But it can also have laughter, rediscovered joy, self-compassion, and peace. One day at a time. One meal, one thought, one breath at a time. You’ve got this! You are worth recovery just as you are! You are stronger than your eating disorder, we promise!! 


Other Mental Health Services Offered in PA, NJ, DE, SC, MD, CT, VT, and FL


We offer a wide variety of services related to eating disorder recovery, including trauma therapy!  We offer Weekly Support Groups, Nutrition Services,  and Family and Parent Therapy as well as Coaching, all tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. We offer our services for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Orthorexia as well as Maternal Mental Health, and eating disorder therapy for athletes online in New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Vermont, and Connecticut! We are here to offer our support and understanding in a safe and non-judgmental environment.


We have immediate openings right now for eating disorder therapy in:

Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland South Carolina, Connecticut, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.

And recovery coaching worldwide.



Recovered and Restored is an eating disorder therapy center founded by Gabrielle Morreale, LPC. We specialize in helping teens and young women heal from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and binge eating disorder and treat disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. We provide eating disorder therapy in the towns of Horsham, Upper Gwynedd, Lower Gwynedd, North Wales, Lansdale, Hatfield, Blue Bell, Doylestown, and nearby towns with eating disorder therapy. Also providing virtual eating disorder therapy in New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida. Some towns served virtually but are not limited to Pittsburg, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Center City, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Cape May, Avalon, Brick, Dover, New Castle, Bethany Beach, Marydel, and Oceanview



 
 
 
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