Are you someone who has recovered from an eating disorder, but are suddenly experiencing symptoms again? Do you feel like you're falling down a slippery slope, and recovery is slipping out of your grasp? Are you needing some new tools to pursue a peaceful relationship with food? Listen now for some new ways to experiment with the recovery process. Subscribe and leave a review here in just seconds. Episode's Key Points: Recovery is NEVER linear! It's messy and complicated, and super personal. This experience is so common the experiencing symptoms even after recovery is the rule, more than the exception. Self-compassion is key for dealing with relapse. Sumner Brooks joins to chat about recovery some more! Disappointment and shame can make us feel so stuck in eating disorder behaviors and relapse. It's so important to NORMALIZE this struggle! You are not alone, and there are a number of reasons we can experience a return of behaviors. Try to react with compassion when you notice the shame and disappointment bubbling up. Recovery will come much quicker with self-compassion! If you're trying to examine the return of a behavior, think about whether or not there are physiological needs not being met (such as hunger), or if there are emotional needs triggering these behaviors meant to soothe and cope. Be aware if medications (such as birth control, SSRIs) or other environmental changes are potentially impacting your mood and contributing to the return of these behaviors! Nothing about recovery or relapse is black or white... figuring out where to go next is a journey!! What are your needs?? Are they being met?? Explore this! Be CURIOUS about this experience! It's an important part of finding what you need to change. Even the slip ups are a part of moving forward. Acknowledge that you may feel like you've screwed it all up, but believe that it isn't true! Spiral UP rather than out!! Show Notes: Link to subscribe to the weekly FREE Food Peace Newsletter. It is sent out every Tuesday morning and no spam EVER. By signing up, I will also send you Love Food's Season 1's Food Peace Syllabus. EDRDProSymposium Sign up here! Savvy Girl, A Guide to Eating by Brittany Deal and Sumner Brooks ---> This week's Food Peace Syllabus addition Sumner's Instagram and main website Eating Disorder Dietitians Julie Dillon RD blog Do you have a complicated relationship with food? I want to help! Send your Dear Food letter to LoveFoodPodcast@gmail.com.  Click here to leave me a review in iTunes and subscribe. This type of kindness helps the show continue! Thank you for listening to the Love, Food series.