Lapse, Relapse and Eating Disorders
A Series of Triggers Leading Up to a Falling From Grace
Feb 4, 2009
Recovery from food addictions is difficult and tricky, because the body needs food for fuel and growth and health. Therefore, food is in the home, readily accessible. Unlike alcohol or other substances which can be avoided, food cannot be eliminated.
Lapses and relapses are part of the recovery process. Be aware of them, and don't let them overwhelm or cause a panic.
Sometimes the recovering person may, like an accordion, slide back and forth through the stages of recovery. These stages are not rigid. Falling backwards, for some, is part of the process. This may especially hold true for teenagers, who are developing a toolbox of coping skills.
What is a Lapse?
A lapse does not necessarily signify that a full blown relapse has occurred. Perhaps, a structured meal has been missed due to any number of reasons. However, the person in recovery will, for the most part, be able to jump back on board the recovery plan without a significant loss.
What is a Relapse?
A relapse has occurred when the recovering person is no longer following the recovery plan. He or she has slipped back into the former eating disorder behaviors and thinking. The eating disorder voice has returned in full strength, if not stronger than before.
The important aspect is not to panic or give hopelessness a grip. The relapse can be transformed as a footstep towards a healthier and more stabilized recovery.
What Does a Relapse Teach?
Relapses, first of all, can help the recovering person catch a glimpse of just how powerful the eating disorder is - how powerful the eating disorder voice is. Fully accepting the power of the condition, like fully accepting the power of addiction/alcoholism, leads to humility. There is strength and power in humility.
Knowing the power of the adversary, and the adversary in this case is the eating disorder, suggests to the recovering person the need to develop a bucketful of strong recovery tools.
Unless a couple of lapses and/or relapses occur, the recovering person will not understand just how powerful a condition an eating disorder is. It would be similar to choosing the right screwdriver to tighten the screw. If the bucket of coping skills is not sufficient or adequate enough, future lapses and relapses will undoubtedly loom on the horizon.
The Concerned Persons
Be aware, it is the eating disordered person who must choose to recover. Recovery cannot be accomplished through the care of loved ones, that is, the eating disordered sufferer must take the primary responsibility for the recovery.
Role of the Concerned Persons
As parents, the safety of children is paramount. Always be watchful. If any suspicions arise during the recovery process, checking in with the treatment team is strongly encouraged.
Do not be afraid to reward the recovering person with praise. Let the recovering person know that he or she is loved, and that the eating disorder is separate from the recovering individual.
In summary, allow and be prepared for lapses and relapses. The better prepared, the less scary they will be when they happen. Don't let a lapse or relapse become the "end of the world". Turn them into positive stepping stones towards a solid recovery foundation.
Source
Deborah K. Katzman, M.D.,FRCP(C), Leora Pinhas, M.D., FRCP(C),Help fpr Eating Disorders A Parents' Guide to Symptoms, Causes and Treatments, Robert Rose, Inc., 120 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2., no date of publication. pgs. 200-205.
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