Redefining Life A Woman's Experience of Recovering from Bulimia

[Abstract] This qualitative study explored women's subjective experiences of recovering from bulimia. A review of the literature indicated a lack of research that includes the voices of those who have overcome the disorder. All participants in this investigation had been diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional as having had bulimia nervosa. At the time of this study, they no longer met this criterion. In-depth personal interviews were conducted with twelve formerly bulimic women. Data were analyzed subsequently using the heuristic research methodology. Six themes emerged indicating that a woman's experience of recovering from bulimia entails: (1) Awakening to the desire to change, (2) Redefining one's relationship with feelings, (3) Redefining one's relationship with food, (4) Redefining one's relationship with body, (5) Redefining one's relationship with self, and (6) Redefining one's relationship with others. Recovery was found to be a process in which one must first want to live differently. Participants were able to identify experiences that facilitated the development of this desire. Throughout the course of their recoveries, the women faced fears, challenged their perceptions and became honest as they redefined the relationships in their lives. They became better able to cope with life's hurdles, choosing healthier ways to nurture themselves and manage difficult emotions. Most importantly, the women's identities were no longer defined by their eating disorder. The findings of this study suggest that symptom reduction is merely one component of the recovery process and that recovering endures long after the cessation of bingeing and purging. Addressing psychosocial elements appears to be significant to the successful resolution of bulimia. These findings indicate that sustained recovery occurs when treatment focuses not only on symptom reduction, but also on relational issues. The results of this study will allow practitioners to develop more effective treatment methodologies which could increase the long term success of such interventions.