In this article, we will discuss the purpose of eating disorders and their effectiveness in helping to recover from eating disorders patients stay motivated and encouraged. We will also look at the most common eating disorders, their symptoms, and probable causes.

Are there eating disorder recovery poems?

Yes, there are eating disorder recovery poems that are artistic works by various poets who have made it their mission to encourage, inspire, as well as educate recovering patients and the world about eating disorders.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are mental illnesses characterized by abnormal eating habits, and complex and damaging relationships between food, exercise and body image that impairs physical and mental health.

Eating disorders are also known to cause death. In fact, about one person dies every hour as a direct result of an eating disorder. (Eating Disorders Coalition, 2016)

To help more people cope with eating disorders, we will provide inspiration to begin and sustain recovery through eating disorder poems.

Importance of eating disorder poems

Poems are one of the engaging activities people with eating disorders can do to cope with their afflictions. To begin with, poems can help them spend time constructively instead of engaging in eating disorders.

Another reason for reading eating disorder poems is that they provide inspiration to the patients as they identify with the writers of the poems through their struggles and recovery.

Eating disorders coping strategies

If you experience triggers of your eating disorders, do the following:

Take three deep breaths
Go for a 3 minutes walk
Name 3 things that you can see
Count from 0 to 100 and then 100 to 0
Move three parts of your body
Name 3 sounds you can hear
Name 5 things that you can see
Name 4 things you can hear
Name 3 things you can smell
Name 2 things you can feel
Name 1 thing you can taste
Read informative works on eating disorders such as eating disorder recovery poems, fanfiction stories and songs.

7 eating disorder recovery poems

The following poems have been written by anonymous writers and brought to you courtesy of the (The Emily Program, 2020).

An Apology to My HomeDear body,I am so sorry. I almost don’t know where to begin. I have put you through so much. And I hate to say it, but I’m going to put you through more as I try to fight this. And I will fight this. All you have ever done is try to support me.To my belly, you smile with warmth when you’re nourished. But I’ve denied you that warmth countless times. I’ve damaged you and I’ve left you in pain. I know you’ll never be quite the same.To my legs, you carry me everywhere I need to go. When I eat, I strengthen you. I’ve forced you into weakness time and time again. I’ve risked breaking you when you are what bears me up.To my voice, you are so soft and beautiful. You speak kindness, you sing worship to my almighty God. I’ve silenced you and made you weak. I’ve risked losing your sweet sound.To my heart, the very one that keeps me alive and breathing. I’ve slowed you down and I’ve sped you up. You just want to keep beating. I’ve risked tiring you out. I’ve risked harming your strong and powerful beat.But your forgiveness is abundant. It is evident as you accept the love I am working so hard to give you. Little by little, you accept the warmth of food, belly. Little by little, you are growing strong, legs. Little by little, your ring is coming back, voice. And beat by beat, you relax and rest, heart.I want to be your friend. I’m learning to appreciate you again, learning to fall back in love with you. I see how much you’ve done for me, how you would do anything to keep me upright. I no longer want to dwindle you. You are my home.

Half n’ Half*deep breath*I smile warmly, snuggling my hot mug of coffee.Most morning begin like this.The caffeine streams through my veins,before I even take a step out the doorjolting my foggy nurse brain awake.I no longer measure my half n’ half with a teaspoon,one little victory most will never notice…the extra splash no longer sends me spiraling.But some days I’m like that half n’ half,I’m watered down.Half of my soul longs for recovery,the other half clings to numbers,to my physique,to the comfort of my destructive habits.Today is one of those dayswhere I’m tired of fighting.How easy would it be to slip right back in?to drop another pound?I shudder at the thought.With another deep breath I look down at my mug.I decide recovery’s worth it today,so I pour in more half n’ half.

Impractical Jokers Do you know how many calories you burn laughing??I do, and it’s not that impressive.I remember seeing the number on Google with disappointment thinking,“Is laughter even that worth it??”As if laughter was a planned workout.As if it wasn’t a grand grace God gave us.Something so beautiful and formative in my lifeI had reduced down to nothingness,Because it wouldn’t burn up my afternoon snack. That is what Ed does. Why do I think this way?I don’t want to, but I do.And to be honest, I don’t know how to undo it.But I promise I’m trying. My dad and I watched “Impractical Jokers” last week,laughing so loud my mom came down to check on us.I could barely breathe because of the silliness.There may have even been a snort or two…And even if it didn’t burn a single calorie,I loved every second of it.

Now’ve recovered
When you recover, what will you do?When you recover, will you still be you?Will you be stronger, will you be new,When you recover from what you’ve been through?
Can life get better than it was before?Will you realize your dreams and improve your score?Will people still remember your name,Or will they forget you because they’re ashamed?
Life in recovery may not be the same.The rules may have changed in this brand new game.You can pick up the pieces and make a new start,And courage and hope keep you from falling apart.
The world all around you seems different and changed.Things that once were now seem out of range,But you can recapture your life and fulfillThe dreams that were lost when you took ill.
The journey to wellness takes time and is long,And those that get well are exceptionally strong.For depression can kill, but you have survived.Your goal to recover has kept you alive.
Now you’re recovered, what will you do?You suffered and conquered and saw it through.Back from the black and abyss of despair,It is time to move on; it is time to care. (Linn & Cino, 2016)

Overcoming AnorexiaIt’s not an addiction,Really it’s not.But that mirror,It’s a source of affliction.
Not long ago,I could look in that mirrorAnd see nothing wrong at all,But now I’ve got nothing to show.
The pressure to be perfect,It tears away at my body.At first it looked like nothing,But it had a side effect.
I wanted to be one of them,One of those girls everyone envied.But the price to pay was my body,Not a small pretty diamond gem.
It was never enough,No matter what I did.The skipped mealsTurned my image rough.
But will it ever be worth it?I stare and ask myself.My image in the mirror,Kept begging just to quit.
It became a nightly thing,Standing on that scale.And I was pleased to seeThat the pounds kept dropping.
My hair was starting to thin.My bones began to show.Everything was different.The desire was starting to win.
The pain I was putting myself through,The constant suffering,Everything was just a blur,But nobody ever knew.
I don’t starve anymore,But I could if I tried.It was a part of my life,Now just a closed door.
It’s not an addiction,Really, it’s not.But that mirror,It’s a source of affliction.
(Amabel, 2014)

Fighting an eating disorderSucked like a vacuum, I held my fear,built up anger you want to hold near.
Shaking and trembling is what I feel,purging my thoughts is how I heal.
Feelings of emptiness that have no depth.Disappointment climbs the walls inside my chest.
You’ve lied to me all these years,holding in the pain that has caused so many tears.
You think you’re strong, but I make you weak.I know the truth you’re looking to seek.
You thought you had control over me all these years.I’m your friend when you looked into your mirror.
You think you can forget me and run and hide.I’m the only one who has stuck by your side.
I’ve given you comfort and relief.Why now do you treat me like a thief.
I’ve stolen from you your sense of pride,not letting you see that you are beautiful on the inside.
I’ve come to steal your strength and health.Don’t look to me to give you wealth.
You’ve been fighting this battle all alone.Haven’t you figured it out that you can’t do this on your own?
This has been our secret for so long.Do you have the courage to make you strong?
I’m the monster you won’t admit,afraid that now you’ll have to commit. (Kays, 2008)
Source: Fighting An Eating Disorder, I’m Your Disease, Addiction Poem

Other poems include;

The ocean you (Nikita Grill)

The poem shows that, like the ocean, people recovering from eating disorders are and will always be whole. The ocean never stays the same and we don’t have to either.

Conclusion

In this article, we provided you with eating disorder recovery poems that we hope inspired, motivated and encouraged you as a recovering eating disorder patient. If you have any questions, feedback or comments, please let us know.

Frequently asked questions: Eating disorders recovery poems

What eating disorder has the highest death rate?

Anorexia nervosa is a common eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric diseases.

Do eating disorders shorten your lifespan?

Individuals with an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, have a significantly higher risk of dying prematurely, compared to other people, UK researchers reported in Archives of General Psychiatry

How long does eating disorders recovery take?

While eating disorders can be lifelong, with the right care, you can get into recovery in four-eight weeks.

Citations

American Psychiatric Association, (2013). Eating disorders in Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders (5th edition). American Psychiatric Association.

Amabel, L. A. (2014, February 14). Overcoming Anorexia, My Not-Addiction, Teen Mental Illness Poem. Family Friend Poems. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/my-not-addiction

Kays, R. (2008, October). Fighting An Eating Disorder, I’m Your Disease, Addiction Poem. Family Friend Poems. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/im-your-disease

Linn, B., & Cino, C. A. (2016, November 16). Inspiring Poem On Starting Life After Mental Illness, Now You’ve Recovered. Family Friend Poems. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/now-youve-recovered

Single care team. (February, 15, 2022). Eating disorder statistics 2022. The check up by single care. Retrieved from https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/eating-disorder-statistics/

The Emily program. (May 28, 2020). “An Apology to My Home” and Other Recovery Poems. Retrieved from: https://www.emilyprogram.com/blog/an-apology-to-my-home-and-other-recovery-poems/

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Mental health

Wellness

Psychology

Personality

Organisational Psychology

Are there eating disorder recovery poems? (+7 recovery poems)