Recovery from an eating disorder is a deeply personal experience filled with triumphs, setbacks, and continuous learning. Knowing how to prevent an eating disorder relapse is a critical part of this journey, as old habits can easily resurface during times of intense stress or unexpected life changes.
Professionals play a vital role in guiding the ongoing recovery process for people with eating disorders. The Eating Disorders Institute (EDEI) is here to support clinicians, educators, and others interested in providing eating disorder recovery and relapse prevention strategies. By equipping caregivers with the right tools, we can foster a safer, more sustainable path to healing and know what to do when someone is going through a relapse.
How to Prevent an Eating Disorder Relapse
Sustaining recovery from an eating disorder often requires a proactive approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of well-being. Here are some strategies to help prevent eating disorder relapse, which can be used in conjunction with professional treatment and therapy.
Have a Prevention Plan in Place
From recognizing warning signs to having a support network in place, having a specific and detailed prevention plan can significantly decrease the chances of an eating disorder relapse. This plan should include:
- Identifying triggers: Understanding what may trigger disordered thoughts and behaviors can help people prepare and cope when faced with these triggers. For instance, if social media use triggers negative body image thoughts, avoiding or limiting its use can be helpful.
- Developing coping strategies: Having healthy coping mechanisms in place, such as journaling, exercising, or talking to a trusted friend or family member, can help individuals manage difficult emotions and situations without resorting to disordered behaviors.
- Regular check-ins with a therapist or treatment team: Regular therapy sessions or check-ins with a treatment team can help individuals stay accountable and address any underlying issues that may contribute to relapse. Research shows that having a community of support, whether it be through therapy or a support group, can greatly improve the chances of long-term recovery.1
- Practicing self-care: Self-care involves engaging in activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This can include getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, setting boundaries, and even engaging in enjoyable hobbies or activities to replace previous eating disorder rituals.
Build a Support Network
One of the most critical factors in preventing eating disorder relapse is having a strong support network.2 This can include family, friends, therapists, and even support groups that can share eating disorder experiences and recovery. These individuals can offer emotional support, provide accountability, and offer reminders of why recovery is important.
For those new to recovery, finding a support network can be challenging. Outpatient groups are an excellent resource for connecting with others who are also working towards recovery. Additionally, online communities on social media or even podcasts are tools people in ED recovery have found helpful. Whether it is through in-person meetings or online platforms, finding a supportive community can make all the difference in staying committed to recovery.
Get Treatment for Psychiatric Conditions
In some cases, eating disorders may coexist with other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Research shows that people with psychiatric comorbidities often have higher rates of relapse in eating disorder recovery.3 Seeking treatment for these underlying psychiatric conditions is, therefore, crucial for long-term recovery.
Therapy
Therapy can be an effective tool in managing psychiatric comorbidities and promoting eating disorder recovery. A range of modalities have demonstrated value in treating eating disorders, and the best fit often depends on the individual’s diagnosis, developmental stage, identities, co-occurring conditions, and treatment goals. Common approaches include individual, group, and family therapy. Evidence-based modalities frequently used in eating disorder care include enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Integrative and trauma-informed approache, such as EMDR, somatic therapies, and internal family systems (IFS) are also increasingly utilized, particularly when trauma or dissociation is part of the clinical picture. Effective treatment typically involves matching the therapeutic approach to the person and clinical wisdom about the nuances of the disorders rather than relying on a single modality.
Medication
In some cases, medication may be necessary to manage psychiatric conditions that coexist with an eating disorder. Balancing side effects and benefits of medication, such as decreased appetite with antidepressants or weight gain with antipsychotics, should be considered carefully. It’s important to note that medication alone is not typically the sole treatment for eating disorders and should always be combined with therapy.
Sustaining the Recovery Journey
Eating disorder recovery requires ongoing vigilance, self-compassion, and the right educational resources. Education empowers both individuals and their care providers to make informed, empathetic decisions that support long-term wellness.
The Eating Disorders Institute (EDEI) offers specialized, industry-leading training focused on the multifaceted nature of these conditions. We invite clinicians, therapists, and advocates to enroll with EDEI for further education. The more current and comprehensive our knowledge of eating disorders is, the more effective we can be in supporting those who are in recovery.
FAQs
What are the most common warning signs of an eating disorder relapse?
Recognizing the early warning signs can make a massive difference in preventing a full return to old behaviors. While not everyone has the same relapse triggers or signs, common indicators include skipping meals, obsessing over ingredients or weight again, withdrawing from social activities that involve food, and an increase in negative body talk.
How do I handle an unexpected trigger?
Triggers can happen anywhere. You might see an altered image on social media, hear an unsolicited comment about weight loss, or experience a sudden stressful event at work. The best way to handle these moments is to rely on the coping strategies developed during therapy. Take a step back, practice deep breathing, and remind yourself of your long-term recovery goals. Reach out to a support person right away. Having a predefined action plan for unexpected triggers makes them much easier to navigate without resorting to harmful behaviors.
What role do family and friends play in prevention?
Loved ones provide essential daily support and accountability. They can help create a positive environment during recovery and are often the first to notice subtle changes in behavior or mood. Open, non-judgmental communication allows loved ones to express their concerns safely. Participating in family therapy or support groups can also educate loved ones on how to offer the most effective, compassionate support.
How long do I need to stay in therapy?
There is no set timeline for eating disorder recovery. However, research consistently shows that to prevent relapse, it’s important for people with eating disorders to have improved cognitive and emotional progress.5 Some people may need more or less time in therapy depending on their individual needs and mental health comorbidities.
Ultimately, the length of time spent in therapy will depend on the individual’s progress and readiness to move forward. It’s important for individuals to work closely with their therapist or treatment team in setting goals and creating a personalized plan for recovery.
Can I fully recover from an eating disorder?
Yes, it is possible to fully recover from an eating disorder with proper treatment and support. Recovery may look different for each person, but it is important to know that complete recovery is possible. Recovery involves not only addressing the physical symptoms of the eating disorder, but also addressing the underlying psychological and emotional factors that contribute to disordered eating behaviors.
References
- Stice, E., Becker, C. B., & Yokum, S. (2013). Eating disorder prevention: Current evidence-base and future directions. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46(5), 478–485. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22105
- Pagano, N., Glasofer, D. R., Attia, E., Ruggiero, J., Eziri, K., Goldstein, C. M., & Steinglass, J. E. (2023). Perspectives on relapse prevention following intensive treatment of anorexia nervosa: A focus group study. The International Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23952
- Sala, M., Keshishian, A., Song, S., Moskowitz, R., Bulik, C. M., Roos, C. R., & Levinson, C. A. (2023). Predictors of relapse in eating disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 158, 281–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.01.002
- Agras, W. S. (2019). Cognitive Behavior Therapy for the Eating Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 42(2), 169–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2019.01.001
- Heal‐Cohen, N., Allan, S., Gauvain, N., Nabirinde, R., & Burgess, A. (2025). Relapse in Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Individuals’ Experiences. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 32(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.70101
- Hatoum AH, Burton AL, Berry SL, Mackinnon A, Touyz S. EMDR therapy for the treatment of eating disorders: A systematic review of the literature. Ment Health Sci. 2024. doi:10.1002/mhs2.92. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mhs2.92