Recovering from an eating disorder is about more than just food—it’s about rebuilding a balanced, fulfilling life. This is where occupational therapy (OT) comes in.
While often overlooked in eating disorder treatment, OT plays a crucial role in helping individuals regain independence, develop daily routines, and navigate challenges like meal planning, sensory sensitivities, and social reintegration. In this post, we’ll dive into how occupational therapy can support the recovery process and why it’s an essential part of a well-rounded treatment plan.
Occupational therapy (OT) is a type of healthcare that helps people develop skills and routines to improve their daily lives and remain independent. Occupational therapy helps people with eating disorders by teaching them skills to handle daily challenges, manage stress, and feel comfortable in their routines. OTs work on things like meal planning, coping skills, and feeling more confident in social situations.
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, affect more than just a person’s eating habits, they can impact many parts of daily life. Simple tasks like grocery shopping, cooking, or eating with friends can become stressful or overwhelming. Eating disorders can also affect a person’s ability to take care of themselves. They may struggle with low energy, trouble sleeping, or difficulty concentrating, which can make daily tasks feel exhausting.
Additionally, eating disorders can cause sensory challenges and difficulties with emotional regulation. Occupational therapists look at how eating disorders impact all areas of life, not just eating. They help individuals rebuild routines, develop coping strategies, and establish a sense of balance between productivity, leisure, and self-care.
By addressing the following areas, occupational therapy plays a powerful role in helping people with eating disorders regain balance, confidence, and a fulfilling life.
An OT can help create structured routines that make mealtimes and daily activities or tasks feel more manageable and less stressful.
Occupational therapists use sensory-based strategies to help individuals feel more comfortable with different foods and eating experiences.
OTs teach mindfulness techniques, like deep breathing or grounding exercises, to help manage stress at mealtimes. They also provide coping strategies to handle emotional triggers and reduce negative thoughts about food and self-image.
An OT can help individuals feel more comfortable eating around others and encourage them to participate in activities they enjoy outside of food and body concerns. This can help rebuild confidence and a sense of connection with others. They also support individuals in grocery or clothes shopping to make shopping easier and less stressful.
Occupational therapy helps individuals challenge these unhealthy thought patterns and develop a stronger sense of self beyond their eating disorder.
OTs help create manageable self-care routines, making hygiene tasks feel less overwhelming and more like a form of self-respect and well-being.
OTs can suggest changes like reducing distractions at mealtimes, using calming lighting, or setting up a structured kitchen layout to make meal preparation easier. They may also help individuals organize their closets or home environments in a way that promotes positive body image and self love.
Occupational therapists work closely with other professionals to support people with eating disorders. They team up with dietitians, therapists, and doctors to create a complete treatment plan that addresses all aspects of recovery. OTs also make sure that care is client-centered, meaning it focuses on the person’s needs, goals, and preferences. They listen to what the person wants to achieve in their recovery and help them work toward those goals.
OTs also help educate families and caregivers on how they can support the person during recovery. This includes learning how to create a safe, positive environment and how to encourage healthy habits at home.
Occupational therapy is a powerful tool in the treatment for eating disorders, helping individuals rebuild their daily routines, regain confidence, and improve their overall quality of life. By addressing the barriers that make everyday tasks overwhelming, OTs provide skills and support that make recovery feel more achievable. They play a key role in making sure recovery isn’t just about food—it’s about reclaiming a fulfilling and independent life.
Seeking treatment for an eating disorder can feel daunting, but with the right treatment approach, including occupational therapy, individuals can move forward with strength, healing, and hope.
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001
Mack, R. (2019). Treating eating disorders: An inside look at occupation-based interventions. AOTA. https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2019/eating-disorders
Mack, R. A., Stanton, C. E., & Carney, M. R. (2023). The importance of including occupational therapists as part of the multidisciplinary team in the management of eating disorders: a narrative review incorporating lived experience. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00763-6
O’Reilly, C., & Johnson, L. (2016). “Chapter 16: Working with people with eating disorders” in Clewes, J., & Kirkwood, R. (Eds), Diverse Roles for Occupational Therapists, M & K Publishing, London, pp. 251-277.
I’m Amanda, an occupational therapy doctorate student at Cedar Crest College, and I’m so excited to be joining A Soft Place to Land as an intern during my final semester! This internship is an exciting opportunity to complete my capstone project, gain experience, and learn alongside an amazing team. I’m passionate about empowering my patients and fostering growth, independence, and confidence in every individual I work with. I can’t wait to continue to grow in my journey as a future occupational therapist and make a positive impact!
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