Eating Disorder Recovery: What Triggers a Relapse?

Sometimes I start thinking and random questions come - questions that I know that I’m not in a position to answer. One of those questions was about what triggers a relapse.

While I’ve seen a number of different answers to the question - and all of its various forms - I think the best answer might be growing pains. Not the stiff discomfort of physical growth, but the emotional stuff.

I’ve been triggered by stupid things in the past - including donating those too small clothes, the ones that came from the little kids department and were designed for 12 year old boys. I’ve been triggered by hard things too; family deaths, chaos, on the job abuse.

In all cases though, I think it comes back to fear of change - even though change is so essential. Without change, we cannot move or grow, we just erode over time like rocks. I’m not willing to live my life that way; it’s just not worth it to me.