Anorexia nervosa: how long does it last?

Anorexia Nervosa and smoking. I had thought that the measures taken – tobacco advertising is banned and body positivity has even reached the catwalks – would have an effect and that we would have dealt with these evildoers. But now that my daughters have reached a vulnerable age, I know: it is everywhere. Smoking and also the dangerous anorexia nervosa. I danced a lot and therefore had to diet ‘functionally’. You could ask me in the middle of the night how many calories an apple has, and I have also cycled to the night pharmacy on a Sunday for a box of Dulcolax. Thank God I met a friend, still my bestie,who ate healthily and was still very slim. And then my love came into my house with full shopping bags and bottles Pouilly-Fumé and taught me that you can eat deliciously and everything while still maintaining a healthy weight. Anorexia may have lurked around the corner, but thanks to Anna and my love, we chased her back into her corner. It pains me to see young women, girls in their prime, struggle with their weight and especially with their self-image. “Anorexia holds our family hostage,” a mother told me recently. At every meal, at least one parent has to sit down, which takes about an hour. Multiply that by six meal times, and you are spending a workday watching whether someone eats and keeps their food where it belongs. I recently asked a psychiatrist who specializes in anorexia nervosa whether it is decreasing in this time of body positivity. Unfortunately not. During corona, we even saw a strong increase. No matter how many curves are embraced, getting rid of a negative self-image requires more.

How long does anorexia nervosa last?

Anorexia nervosa. Just the word sounds serious. And it is. But how long does it actually last? Is it something you grow out of, or do you struggle with it your whole life?

What is anorexia nervosa actually?

Let's go back to basics. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where someone is obsessively focused on losing weight and has an extremely low body weight. It is not just about food (or not eating), but also about control. Control over your body, your thoughts, your emotions. And that makes it such a stubborn condition.

Can you grow out of it?

That's what you hope for, of course. But unfortunately: anorexia is not something you just grow out of, like a childish crush on Leonardo DiCaprio (okay, I never really got over that). It is a mental illness that often requires a long treatment. The sooner you get help, the greater the chance of recovery. But even then, it can take years before someone has a healthy relationship with food and their own body again.

Is anorexia ‘contagious’?

Not literally, of course, but... the chance that you develop an eating disorder yourself is greater if you are surrounded by people who are struggling with it. Especially in groups of friends, it can become a kind of unspoken competition: who is the thinnest? Who eats the least? That is why it is so important not to feed each other (pun intended) with those unhealthy thoughts.

Which celebs have struggled with it?

Unfortunately, there are quite a few names on this list. Think of Princess Diana, who was open about her eating disorders. Models like Cara Delevingne and actors like Lily Collins have also spoken about their struggles. And although it seems that celebrities have it all – money, glamour, beauty – this shows that anorexia can affect anyone.

Can you recover from anorexia nervosa?

The short answer: yes, but it is not easy. The numbers do not lie: about half of the people with anorexia fully recover. Some remain vulnerable to relapses their entire lives. But recovering does not mean that you stand in front of the mirror every day feeling blissfully happy – it means that you learn to deal with that critical voice in your head, and that you still nourish yourself.

How do you deal with someone in your environment who has anorexia?

That may be the hardest part. Because you want to help, but how? The most important thing: do not push or control (“Just eat something!” – that really doesn't work). Stay involved, listen, and encourage professional help. And don't forget yourself: it can be very heavy to stand by someone who has anorexia.

How long does anorexia nervosa last on average?

And then that question you may have been waiting for the whole time. There is no standard answer, but on average, anorexia lasts between 5 and 7 years. Sometimes shorter, sometimes much longer. And some people continue to struggle with residual symptoms even after recovery. What is clear is: the sooner you get treatment, the better the outlook.

Why does it take so long?

Because it is not just about food. It is about perfectionism, control, fear, self-image. Those are deep roots that you cannot just pull out with a meal plan. Recovery requires therapy, patience, love – and sometimes a few significant relapses before you can move forward again.

Read more about anorexia nervosa here