When is Anorexia over?

[emma01]

When can I stop saying I have anorexia? Is it when the doctors "diagnose me" as recovered? Is it when I get to a certain weight? When my periods come back? Or is it when I am back to a 'normal' state mentally. I would say that now I was in recovery, because I am trying to gain weight, I am enjoying food again and doing really well.
Do the doctors ever tell people they are no longer anorexic? I understand that it may be different for everyone, but I have already been told a weight which would put me in a safe zone and not require weekly blood tests, would that be the right weight where I would not be classed as anorexic?

Sorry for all the questions - but I thought about this and really want to know!

[Jen]

Hey Emma,

This is a really good question! I think that to a large extent all of these terms are individual. Like you said, medically there is a weight at which you need to get to. By diagnostic terms, once you are in that healthy range, have your periods back, and don't have an intense fear of gaining weight anymore, you won't technically be classified as having anorexia.

But, it's individual! You might stop considering yourself as having anorexia once you get into a healthy range even if your periods haven't returned yet.

Same with the term "recovery". Some people consider recovery to begin right when they decide to get better, even if their symptoms are still pretty intense. Others might not consider themselves in recovery until they are medically in a better place. It's all individual.

Sorry if that doesn't help--but it's kind of nice, because you can decide how you fit into those labels and how you want to apply them to yourself!

<3

[emma01]

Okay, thanks! That made good sense to me!!! Thanks for that!!!

[Jen]

You're welcome seems like that's clarified for you so I'm going to close this. But, if you want it re-opened at any point, just send me a PM!

<3