Eating Disorder Recovery Stories

Eating disorders, on their most basic level, are typified by irregular eating habits stemming from dysmorphic beliefs about one’s body. They are extremely destructive, causing innumerable psychological and physical health issues and can be very, very deadly. Anorexia, for example, kills approximately five percent of all who are diagnosed with it within four years of their diagnosis, according to the NIH.

That said, eating disorders are treatable, and it is possible to live, recover, survive, and thrive. This is the indomitable message Recovery Diaries conveys through the vibrant voices of our contributors; a diverse array of human beings telling stories of recovery and hope in the face of anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and compulsive exercise. From a dancer who received implicit and explicit messages that her body was not “right” to a depressed wrestler struggling with his own body weight and image, to a transgender man navigating complex emotions and understandings about his body and identity, we are brought into the worlds of individuals who struggle with harmful ideas about food and body, nutrition and fitness; all of whom have come out on the other side– stronger, healthier, and happier.

Our essays, films, and podcast episodes are messages of hope for individuals who struggle with disordered eating, compulsive exercise, calorie counting, and other harmful behaviors. They shatter myths, such as people who have eating disorders “just want to be thin” or that eating disorders “only happen to women.” One of the most shocking statistics about anorexia is that, in America, only approximately ⅓ of all who struggle with anorexia obtain treatment. It is our hope at Recovery Diaries that perhaps someone, somewhere out there reads one of our essays and that it is the tipping point that makes them decide to pick up the phone and ask for help. So, for that reason, please read and share, far and wide.