When I think about what it takes to recover from an eating disorder, it is really many things working together … it is not just getting treatment, being motivated, or having a good support system. Recovery is a recipe, and community support can be a big part of that recipe. Events like the Twin Cities NEDA Walk provide those in any stage of recovery (and their families and support systems) a chance to get together and cheer each other on with hope and inspiration.
Recipes are something we usually think of when we think about cooking but we use “recipes” in many areas of our lives. Whether it is getting into college, developing a career, being in a relationship with someone, or parenting a child. These all require several steps or components to be successful.
I think this really fits for the journey of recovery, similar to cooking, recovering from an eating disorder takes a cup of this, a dash of that, and a pinch of something else. When you get all of the ingredients in the mix, there is an incredible life of opportunity and experiences waiting for you. I asked several people that I have worked with over the years about some of their key ingredients to recovery so I could share some of their insights. I wasn’t too surprised to learn that people didn’t feel like it was an isolated thing that got them to recovery but rather several things coming together over time that led them to a life free of their eating disorder.
First, everyone felt like their formal treatment was an important piece. Without that as a foundation, recovery would not have happened. Other common themes included willingness to try something new, trust, developing new interests and connecting with people, as well as patience and setting priorities. One individual shared with me “I was a passionless person and didn’t really care about anything except losing weight and doing everything right. When I was physically healthier, it helped me tremendously to care about something outside of myself.” Related to this, people found that when they developed new interests outside of their eating disorder, it also helped connect them to people, which played a big role in their ability to move beyond the eating disorder.
What is so amazing about the Twin Cities NEDA Walk is that it brings together people from all over Minnesota – and the Midwest – and provides an opportunity for everyone to connect and share experiences and stories about their journey, their recipe. Each one is different and unique. Community support can be an immeasurable part of someone’s recovery, because it allows you to see that you are not alone, and many others are there to support and encourage you along the way.
So today I would encourage all of you to think about what are your key ingredients to recovery? What do you already have and what might you need to add to the mix? No matter where you are along your journey, everyone has some of the ingredients they need to start to build their recipe for recovery.
About the Author:
Heather Gallivan, Psy.D., L.P. is Clinical Director at Park Nicollet Melrose Center. She joined Melrose in 2004 and has worked with eating disorder patients in all levels of care from outpatient to the residential treatment settings. She has special interests in treating athletes with eating disorders as well as working with individuals who have both an eating disorder and Type I diabetes. She has given professional presentations on eating disorders at the National Eating Disorders Association's national conference, and for many local mental providers and primary care physicians. She obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology.
Melrose Center heals eating disorders, with locations in St. Louis Park, Maple Grove and St. Paul. Melrose treats all eating disorders in males and females of all ages, through outpatient and residential programs. Visit melroseheals.com for more information.
