Eating Disorders Stages of an Eating Disorder Understanding the Stages
Understanding the Stages
Why knowing the stages of change is helpful for a person recovering:
In the early stages (pre contemplation/contemplation), bringing up stages of change may be a touchy subject for a person with an eating disorder, especially if they believe that they don’t have a problem at the time. If in doubt, it may be knowledge to save for a later time.
During the later stages, the stages of change can be a very beneficial tool.
• It gives the person validation that they have something that they need to work with.
• it helps them to feel that they are not a failure as, to have stages, it must be more common than perceived
• it enables them to see what the road ahead may look like, allowing them something tangible to work toward
• it shows them that they have already come along way, even though they may sometimes feel they are going nowhere fast.
• It enables them to openly discuss relapse and ways in which they can make it work for them.
• It helps them give themselves “permission” to relapse as it is an important aspect of reaching their recovery goal.
• It helps them to identify where their life fits within the recovery process.
• It continually challenges their existing cognitive beliefs.
Last revision date: Monday, 06 February 2012 12:45
