how long will it take?

Dear Ellen:

I've been bulimic for five years and I've been in therapy for a month. How long will it take to recover?

W.G., Vancouver

Dear W.G.:

Kudos to you for getting yourself into therapy; that can be a difficult first step to take. I can't predict how long it will take for you to recover from bulimia, but I can tell you that research shows a relationship between the amount of time a person spends in therapy and the progress that is made in terms of reduction of symptoms and improvement in self-concept. So, be patient with yourself, stick with it, and allow the process to evolve. No doubt you're learning a lot about yourself.

You're not the first to ask the question, "how long will it take?" Here's something to think about. The future is unpredictable; we have very little control over what is going to happen in the world. What we can control, however, is this moment. Right now. And right now, you can decide to live without your eating disorder and define yourself as you choose. Who do you want to be? What can you do right now that will make you feel good about yourself?

Your life will unfold one decision at a time. Each decision you make will result in a positive or negative outcome from which you can learn, and which will lead to another decision. With this in mind, recovery is possible at each and every moment, whenever you choose to live as a recovered person.

This moment is yours -- how do you want to live it?

With Love,

ellen