About yourself Quote by Marya Hornbacher
“I don't think people realize, when they're just getting started on an eating disorder or even when they're in the grip of one, that it is not something that you just "get over." For the vast majority of eating-disordered people, it is something that will haunt you for the rest of your life. You may change your behavior, change your beliefs about yourself and your body, give up that particular way of coping in the world. You may learn, as I have, that you would rather be a human than a human's thin shell. You may get well. But you never forget.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia by Marya Hornbacher, 1998
Eating disorders are chronic; they may be managed but never fully erased, leaving lasting psychological impact.
In simple terms: Disorders linger despite recovery.
Key Takeaway
Accept ongoing healing, not total erasure.
Themes
mental health
recovery
stigma
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
personal narrative
educational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- support groups
- personal reflection
- education campaigns
Key Concepts
chronic illness
identity
coping mechanisms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you support someone whose disorder persists?
- What habits promote lasting mental health?
A Different Perspective
Recovery may be incomplete, requiring lifelong self‑compassion.
