10 Things They Don't Tell You About Eating Disorder Recovery

(But that you need to know..)

1. Being extremely hungry is a normal reaction..

Via tumblr.com

Huh? What? I just ate and now I am even MORE hungry than I was when I started?

It's true, after disordered eating over a long period of time your body does its best to make you physically stronger as fast as possible and releases very strong hunger signals. Try not to panic too much - it's perfectly normal and will go away once you have been eating regularly at a healthy weight.

2. Weird skin sensations

Via cdn.someecards.com

You might have all kinds of weird stretchy, itchy feelings across your skin; partly down to anxiety and partly down to some of the physical changes in your body which take place during recovery. Wear nice soft, stretchy fabrics and see your doc if anything gets too annoying.

3. "You look so well" will become the most annoying thing ever....

Via reactiongifs.com

Yep, thanks you're not helping. Please leave.

4. Sleeping suddenly becomes a lot easier (and more enticing)

Via blogger.com

As you start to recover, a healthier body means your sleeping patterns start to settle down which is great for being less grumpy and getting up for school/college/work.

5. ALL THE FEELINGS come back

Via tumblr.com

Your eating disorder may have previously been blocking a lot of your emotions which start to come back and may you may be a bit all over the place at first.

But that's ok, because all the good emotions come back too and now is the perfect time to work through any difficult emotions.

6. It can be very hard to explain what is happening right now...

Via wordpress.com

7. Rediscover your libido!

Via tumblr.com

Your libido probably dropped during your illness. Welcome back to feeling horny and prepare to rediscover your mojo...

8. Heaps of energy!

Via wordpress.com

Don't waste any of it on being too sensible..

9. Lots of bodily explusions

Via i1.bebo.com

Now let's not go into too much detail here and just say be careful in yoga classes during recovery...

10. Best of all, you get back to being you

Via happyfoodhealthylife.com

Once your eating disorder is out your life you can focus on re-discovering the things that really matter, like you, your friends and family and your hobbies, as food doesn't dominate every waking moment.

If you or a friend is experiencing an eating disorder, please do not delay getting help. Early intervention is key to making a full recovery. Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2015 runs from 23rd February - 1st March: search #EDAW2015 on Twitter.