19 Eating Disorder Relapse Signs

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Last updated on January 25th, 2025 at 10:38 pm

Eating disorder relapse is a common part of the overall recovery process of ed recovery for many people struggling with an eating disorder. 

A relapse when it comes to an eating disorder does not mean: 

  • You have failed
  • That you  need to start all over with your ED recovery
  • That you’ve taken a step back 
  • You will never recover or eat normally again
  • That you don’t deserve help

Let’s explore the common causes of relapse of an eating disorder, how to prevent relapse, and where to get the treatment you need. 

ED Relapse Meaning

An eating disorder relapse means that you have resumed one or more eating behaviors regularly.

An eating disorder relapse means:

infographic on preventing an ed relapse

Rates of Relapse With an ED

It’s estimated that between 21-51% of people with eating disorders will have a relapse of symptoms at some point during the recovery process.

Frequency of ED relapse is more likely: 

  • The longer the eating disorder went without treatment
  • Depending on the intensity of eating disorder symptoms 
  • Levels of body dissatisfaction 
  • With high levels of stress in the environment 
  • Age (prevalence of relapse increases with age)

Eating Disorder Relapse Triggers

infographic of warning signs of an ed relapse

Eating disorder relapse can be triggered by 

Commonly, multiple triggers that happen simultaneously are the perfect recipe for an ED relapse. It’s important that you are aware of these triggers so that you can seek out additional support if you know you will be undergoing any of these life changes.

19 Warning Signs of An ED Relapse 

Let’s break down the warning signs for relapse into behaviors of moderate concern and immediate red flag behaviors for eating disorder relapse. 

  1. Increased avoidance of food 
  2. Obsessive thoughts about food 
  3. Increased fear of gaining weight or preoccupation with current weight 
  4. Urge to diet and lose weight 
  5. Measuring or weighing food 
  6. Counting macronutrients 
  7. Counting carbs
  8. seeking out zero or low-calorie foods
  9. Increased body checking
  10. Hiding, sneaking, or hoarding food 
  11. Convincing yourself you don’t need a meal plan 
  12. Deciding to use an eating disorder behavior “just this once” 
  13. Lying about eating 
  14. Lying about purging 
  15. Isolating yourself and/or avoiding social gatherings 
  16. Sticking with only safe foods 
  17. Cheating on your eating disorder recovery meal plan 
  18. Thinking “I’ll compensate with exercise” 
  19. Tracking food 

If you are doing these things, talk with your healthcare team immediately!  You may need to increase the frequency of visits with your eating disorder dietitian, therapist, or doctor.  

infographic of eating disorder relapse signs

Eating Disorder Relapse Prevention 

The goal is to prevent one or a few eating disorder behaviors from spiraling into a full eating disorder relapse. 

The best way to prevent an eating disorder relapse is: 

What To Do If You Have an ED Relapse

Instead of using the term “relapse” try instead using the term “relearning.” 

Linear eating disorder recovery is often a Myth.   Think of ed recovery like a puzzle rather than a straight line.  This can help you think about relapse behavior as simply being one piece of the complete puzzle rather than a failure.  

It’s important to remind yourself that relapse is a normal part of eating disorder recovery.  

5 Things to do if you have an ED relapse include:

  1. Take a deep breath and give yourself grace
  2. Tell someone you trust that you have relapsed 
  3. Contact your treatment team and eating disorder dietitian to make a plan to get you back on track 
  4. Acknowledge the relapse 
  5. Work through any internal stigma about returning to treatment with your support team

For more support with an eating disorder, relapse checks out these eating disorder recovery books.  

You can also check out my anorexia story to see my journey through multiple bouts of active eating disorder and the coping tools that helped me to fully recover from my ed.

These recovery tips can also help you stay strong during your journey if you notice symptoms of a relapse.

Shena Jaramillo. Registered Dietitian
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