It can be unimaginably, uncomprehendingly better than just the 'I don't care about myself' state tho, if that is the best they can manage or perhaps even as a step on the gradual path of self-worth/healing - that is amazing!

Don't dismiss 'getting slightly better' as a failure bcs it's not immediately resulting in the prefect best-case end scenario/state.

We are all on a journey.