Case Study: Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage – One Young Woman's Journey Through Depression, Anxiety, and Eating Disorder Recovery

How 20-year-old Emma found healing and learned to trust herself again at The Center • A Place of HOPE

Before Treatment: Trapped in a Cycle of Self-Destruction

At just 20 years old, Emma (name changed for privacy) found herself caught in a devastating cycle that felt impossible to break. Despite her young age, she had already spent years battling depression, anxiety, and destructive eating behaviors that were slowly consuming her life.

“I was my own worst enemy,” Emma reflects. “Every time something good happened, I would find a way to sabotage it. I couldn’t understand why I kept hurting myself when all I wanted was to be happy and healthy.”

The pattern was always the same: moments of hope followed by crushing self-doubt, leading to binge eating episodes that left her feeling ashamed and defeated. Her core beliefs about herself had become so negative that she couldn’t imagine a future where she felt worthy of love or success.

Research shows that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition, with binge eating disorder affecting approximately 2.8% of adults in the United States^[1]. For young women like Emma, the combination of depression, anxiety, and disordered eating creates a particularly challenging treatment scenario that requires specialized, comprehensive care.

Emma had tried traditional therapy before, but nothing seemed to create lasting change. “I would leave sessions feeling momentarily better, but within days, I was back to the same destructive patterns. I felt like I was wasting everyone’s time, including my own.”

The breaking point came during her sophomore year of college when her eating behaviors became so severe that she could no longer focus on her studies or maintain relationships with friends. “I realized I was living in survival mode, and I was barely surviving,” she says.

Q&A: The Decision to Seek Intensive Treatment

Finding The Center: A Comprehensive Approach to Healing

The search for the right treatment program initially felt overwhelming. Emma and her family researched numerous facilities, but most seemed to focus on just one aspect of her struggles. The Center • A Place of HOPE stood out because of its holistic approach to treating co-occurring conditions.

“The admissions team was invaluable,” Emma recalls. “I’ve always felt listened to, and any questions I’ve asked have always been answered. They didn’t make me feel like just another case number; they genuinely cared about understanding my specific situation.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 50% of individuals with eating disorders also meet criteria for depression, and many also struggle with anxiety disorders^[2]. The Center’s integrated treatment model recognizes these interconnected conditions and addresses them simultaneously rather than in isolation.

The admission process was thorough but supportive. Emma appreciated that the team took time to understand not just her symptoms, but also her goals and what she hoped to achieve through treatment.

The Treatment Experience: Four Transformative Weeks

Emma arrived at The Center • A Place of HOPE in late May 2025, nervous but hopeful. Her first day in the Welcome and Orientation Session set the tone for what would become a life-changing month.
“My first day was great,” she remembers. “I felt I got the proper information about what to expect. The staff created such a non-judgmental environment from the very beginning.”

Treatment Team and Therapeutic Approach

Emma’s treatment plan was carefully crafted to address her specific combination of depression, anxiety, eating disorder behaviors, and relationship issues. Her days were structured around evidence-based therapies, with a particular emphasis on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

“The DBT is the main thing that I found beneficial,” Emma explains. “It gave me practical tools for managing my emotions and breaking the cycle of self-sabotage. For the first time, I had strategies that worked in real-time situations.”

Research supports the effectiveness of DBT for treating eating disorders, particularly binge eating disorder, with studies showing significant reductions in binge episodes and improvements in emotional regulation^[3].

Building Trust in the Therapeutic Relationship

One of the most significant breakthroughs came through Emma’s relationship with her support therapist, Katie (name changed for privacy). This relationship became crucial to her healing process.

“Katie creates such a safe and welcoming environment,” Emma shares. “It’s the first time I’ve truly trusted a therapist. She listened to me without judgment and helped me understand that my struggles didn’t define my worth as a person.”

The importance of the therapeutic alliance cannot be overstated in eating disorder treatment. Studies indicate that a strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most significant predictors of positive treatment outcomes^[4].

Treatment Progress: Weekly Milestones

Q&A: The Healing Process

Life After Treatment: Continuing the Journey

Emma completed her four-week intensive program in late June 2025, equipped with new skills and a comprehensive continuation of care plan. Her transformation was evident not just to herself but to everyone who had watched her struggle.

“I have learned so many skills that I can use back in my normal life,” she says. “The therapists made sure everything was perfectly catered to my specific needs, and if I didn’t feel comfortable with something, I could always communicate that and make changes.”

Continuation of Care

Research shows that the period immediately following intensive treatment is crucial for maintaining progress^[5]. Emma’s discharge planning included:

• Connection with a local therapist trained in DBT
• Ongoing nutritional support
• Participation in The Center’s alumni program
• Regular check-ins with her treatment team

“I know the work doesn’t stop when I leave,” Emma acknowledges. “But now I have the tools and the confidence to keep building on what I’ve learned here.”

Q&A: Advice for Others

The Science Behind Integrated Treatment

Emma’s success story reflects the growing body of research supporting the integration of treatment approaches for co-occurring mental health conditions. Studies demonstrate that treating eating disorders, depression, and anxiety simultaneously leads to better outcomes than addressing each condition separately^[6].

The Center • A Place of HOPE’s approach aligns with best practices recommended by the Academy for Eating Disorders, which emphasizes the importance of addressing the whole person rather than just symptoms^[7].

Key Takeaways from Emma’s Journey

Rebecca’s journey offers valuable insights for other professionals struggling with similar challenges:

A Message of Hope

Emma’s transformation from a young woman trapped in cycles of self-destruction to someone with hope and practical tools for healing demonstrates the power of comprehensive, compassionate care. Her journey reminds us that with the right support, even the most entrenched patterns can be changed.

“This place truly changed my life,” Emma concludes. “I’m not saying it was easy, it’s a lot of mental work, but I’ve also been able to use the skills I’ve learned to actually relax and enjoy life again. If you’re struggling like I was, know that there is hope, and there are people who genuinely want to help you heal.”

For young adults facing similar struggles with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, Emma’s story offers proof that recovery is possible and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, or eating disorders, The Center • A Place of HOPE offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs designed to address the whole person. Contact our admissions team to learn more about how we can help.

[1] National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Eating Disorders: About More Than Food. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Eating Disorders Among Adults – Binge Eating Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/eating-disorders
[3] Safer, D. L., Robinson, A. H., & Jo, B. (2020). Outcome from a randomized controlled trial of group therapy for binge eating disorder. Behavior Therapy, 41(1), 15-28.
[4] Graves, T. A., Tabri, N., Thompson-Brenner, H., et al. (2021). A meta-analysis of the relation between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome in eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(4), 323-340.
[5] Carter, J. C., Mercer-Lynn, K. B., Norwood, S. J., et al. (2022). A prospective study of predictors of relapse in anorexia nervosa: Implications for relapse prevention. Psychiatry Research, 200(2-3), 518-523.
[6] Thompson-Brenner, H., Boswell, J. F., Espel-Huynh, H., et al. (2019). Implementation of transdiagnostic treatment for eating disorders: A systematic review. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52(6), 567-582.
[7] Academy for Eating Disorders. (2023). Medical Care Standards Guide for Eating Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.aedweb.org/resources/publications/medical-care-standards