What If You Never Fully Recover? (And Why That’s Okay)
When you’re on the journey to recover from an eating disorder, it’s easy to set the expectation that full recovery is the ultimate goal. We often hear about people who “overcome” their struggles, leading us to believe that recovery is a final destination where everything becomes perfect. But for many people, recovery isn’t a neat, linear process with a definitive end.
The Fear of “What If I Never Fully Recover?”
The fear of “What if I never fully recover?” can be overwhelming, making you question whether all the effort, pain, and work will ever result in a truly “recovered” version of yourself. The truth is, the idea of never fully recovering can seem daunting, but it’s important to recognize that recovery is not always about achieving an idealized version of yourself. It’s about learning to live with your eating disorder in a way that doesn’t control your life, working through the challenges, and moving forward even when the road isn’t perfect.
The fear of never fully recovering is a common feeling, and the idea of complete recovery may not always be the most realistic or helpful expectation. Ultimately, it’s okay if you don’t achieve a “perfect” recovery—learning to live with the ups and downs is a powerful, healing step in itself.
Recovery is Not an All-or-Nothing Process
One of the most damaging myths about eating disorder recovery is the belief that it’s all or nothing—that you’re either fully recovered, or you’re still “sick.” This kind of thinking can add pressure and make recovery feel like a black-and-white issue, where any relapse or setback feels like a complete failure. But this idea doesn’t reflect the reality of recovery.
Recovery is a process. It’s not about suddenly becoming someone who never thinks about food or body image issues again. It’s about learning how to live with the challenges you face while finding healthier ways to cope. Recovery is often not about perfection; it’s about growth, self-compassion, and resilience.
For example, if you’ve been through therapy for eating disorders and have learned valuable tools for managing your triggers and stressors, but you still have moments where you struggle with negative body image, it doesn’t mean that your recovery is invalid or incomplete. It simply means that you’re still navigating a challenging journey—and that’s okay.
What Does It Mean to “Fully Recover”?
When we think about recovery from an eating disorder, we often imagine a world where food no longer holds power, body image isn’t an issue, and all the behaviors related to the eating disorder are gone. But full recovery can look different for everyone—and for some, it may involve learning to live with an eating disorder in a way that allows them to thrive, despite the challenges.
Eating disorder therapy helps you address the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that keep you stuck in harmful patterns, but it doesn’t promise that there will be no struggles moving forward. Full recovery doesn’t mean perfection—it means reclaiming control over your life. It means being able to live more authentically, finding healthier ways to cope with difficult emotions, and being kinder to yourself, even on days when things are tough.
It’s important to acknowledge that some people may never fully “get rid” of their eating disorder completely—but they can still lead a healthy, fulfilling life. Rather than expecting a “perfect” recovery, the goal of recovery is to live in a way that allows you to thrive despite your challenges.
Get Support for Your Recovery Journey
At Radiance Therapy Group, we understand that eating disorder recovery is a unique and deeply personal journey. Whether you’re struggling with your relationship to food, body image, or emotional well-being, we are here to help. We offer therapy for eating disorders in Philadelphia, and our team is ready to support you with the tools, compassion, and encouragement you need to thrive on your own terms.
Take the first step in your healing journey. Contact Radiance Therapy Group today for compassionate, expert support.