Untreated Recovery from Eating Disorders Descriptors: Comparison of two intact groups

ABSTRACT. This retrospective study explored the experience of recovery from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa without professional treatment. An eight-question open-ended electronic survey was posted for a period of three months at a midwestern university. Sixteen female and two male respondents reported recovery from adolescent-onset full syndrome anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. All respondents reported onset factors supporting a sociocultural etiology. Recovery was initiated through the empathic, participatory efforts of parents and friends, or was self-initiated. Respondents with the shortest disorder duration and most complete recovery reported early parental intervention. Onset factors similar to those in research with a clinically treated population were found. Implications of the findings are discussed.