There are so many personal memoirs and self help guides to eating disorder treatment available, yet only very few focus on how to stay in good recovery. Multiple eating disorder books are in fact terribly triggering as they mention weights and tactics used when ruled by the illness.
Maintaining Recovery From Eating Disorders
One of the most helpful aspects associated with Naomi Feigenbaum's Maintaining Recovery From Eating Disorders is the lack of triggering information. Unlike many other books on these increasingly common mental health conditions, the focus is on the journey sufferers face beyond eating disorders. While most books about eating disorders look at the symptoms experienced during periods of illness, Feigenbaum shows the reader how to truly embrace recovery. Anyone who is actively in recovery from an eating disorder will find the practical, easy to understand information on recovering life to be extremely helpful.
Life After Eating Disorder Treatment
If you have experienced residential, daypatient or intensive outpatient treatment for your eating disorder, you will know that there is a transition one must go through to return to normal life following such treatment. A very helpful chapter in Maintaining Recovery From Eating Disorders, entitled 'Making A Smooth Transition' allows the reader to learn from the experiences of others about how to overcome common struggles. Divided into eleven chapters, key areas explored in the book, include as follows: normal eating, celebrating your true self, accepting your body, connecting spiritually and developing healthy relationships.
Getting Creative in Recovery
While art therapy, psychodrama and journaling may be commonplace in treatment, these are less likely to be utilised once eating disorder sufferers are in recovery. However, as highlighted by Feigenbaum, getting creative is a very useful approach to maintaing recovery from eating disorders. Chapter seven helps one see how honest self expression through containment writing and art work can make a real difference to those affected. In addition, journaling is especially powerful as it provides an emotional outlet for all the thoughts, emotions and feelings which relate to different stages in recovery.
Healthy Relationships in Eating Disorder Recovery
Just as every relationship we have with others will undoubtedly suffer when we are living in the illness, each one can become more healthy as we learn to embrace recovery. Learning how to maintain healthy relationships which are supportive and positive is crucial to getting and remaining well. Those closest to us may also be better able to spot when we are experiencing a lapse or relapse, making it important to have honest, healthy relationships with family members and friends.
Recovery is no easy task and is impossible to achieve without a good support network. Whether you have been in recovery from an eating disorder for days, weeks months or years, Maintaining Recovery From Eating Disorders is a great addition to your armour. This book will help you fully grasp hold of the truth, that there is life after recovery.
Source:
Feigenbaum, N. (2012) Maintaining Recovery From Eating Disorders
London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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