The transition from high school to college can be difficult for young adolescents. There is a sense of uncertainty and naivety for individuals starting out college in a brand new place away from their parents. But with this tremendous pressure and the intoxication of social media, individuals may fall victim to an eating disorder that can impact one’s education.
By: Regina Colie
Congratulations! You’re Accepted!
The day one receives acceptance into their dream school is monumental. Young adolescents have academically and athletically pushed themselves to reach for the stars. Whether an individual has chosen to stay local or go somewhere far from home, college is an exciting and thrilling time for individuals entering their first year. It is a chance to meet new people, take a wide range of classes, and find new opportunities to build one’s resume. However, there is ultimately a tremendous amount of pressure on these students to do their best, which can cause significant stress and burnout. Social media also plays an ultimate role in how students view themselves compared to others. With all of these factors combined, the onset of an eating disorder can be tricky to navigate in an unfamiliar environment.
New Semester, New Adventures
As someone who has gone through college myself (and is now in graduate school!), I always strived for perfection and got stressed when I didn’t get a good grade or had too many assignments to complete. There is a collective sense of needing to keep things perfectly to succeed in college. But this isn’t always the case. The unpredictability and unfamiliarity of a new schedule can be daunting for a new student. Individuals with a chaotic class schedule may also fall into disruptive eating patterns. However, it is harder for those struggling with an eating disorder. “Bulimic, or binge-eating, patterns can be triggered when students try and fail to stick to unreasonably restrictive diets, something many college’s buffet dining halls and late-night Easy Mac make even more difficult.” (Jacobson, 2021). If students are trying to save money while in college, then they may begin to limit the amount of food they eat within a day. Restrictive eating and dieting can be extremely dangerous for students as one’s physical and mental health can be impacted. There is also pressure on college students to follow in the lead of what they see their peers doing through social media. A popular term called ‘FOMO’ stands for fear of missing out. As one tries to make new friends, there is a sense of loneliness when one lacks connectivity with one’s peers. Students may begin binge eating to help cope with their stress and anxiety. There is a lot of uncertainty with going to college, but students can reach out to their college’s counseling center to seek help for any challenges they might be facing in their journey throughout each semester.
Finals Week
There are various options available to students, depending on an individual’s college accessibility and availability to students. The first step would be to listen to someone who either knows or denies having a problem with food. “People with eating disorders often deny that they have a problem, or have complicated feelings about getting better. It is important to take her feelings into account and make her feel heard.” (Jacobson, 2021). Colleges also have options for students to access mental health services, such as through community centers with therapists on-site to assist students. These mental health services can also offer financial assistance for students who need help with affordability. College is a time for exploration and independence, but adolescents who enter school are still very young, so it is always okay to ask someone for help.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues in college students. In addition to our full-time Day Treatment Program and Weeknight Intensive Outpatient Program, we offer nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support, and a variety of other groups and resources to assist those seeking help for food concerns.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is a graduate student getting her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The School of Health Sciences of Touro College. She is looking to become a mental health counselor, specializing in eating disorders and postpartum depression. She is a firm believer in mental health advocacy, and giving women the opportunity to speak their truth.
References
Sheldon-Dean, H. (2022, February 14). How to Help Someone With an Eating Disorder in College. Child Mind Institute. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://childmind.org/article/help-with-an-eating-disorder-in-college/
van Iderstine, S. (2021, September 27). College Students and Eating Disorders. Child Mind Institute. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://childmind.org/article/eating-disorders-and-college/
