what not to pack for college
College is a huge change for everyone. You have immense pressure from school work, parents, teachers and peers. It makes perfect sense that during this time eating disorder behaviors often start for people. Living alone for the first time and being expected to essentially decide what you do with your life is enough to make anyone struggle.
BUT YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Among college students, many struggle with eating disorders or at least disordered eating habits. The desire to avoid the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen” often motivates these behaviors.
I struggled with my eating disorder in college and I think eating disorders at this time (to varying degrees) are much more common than people think. In this post I’m going to give my top 3 tips for recognizing these behaviors in yourself, your peers and how to get help.
1) Most colleges have a variety of FREE (yes, free) resources that you can use in your recovery. The college I attended even had a specific eating disorder program students could enter. At a minimum, most colleges will offer therapy and dietitian appointments free of charge to students. Use them. The real world can be a big scary place and these appointments can be expensive. Use these benefits while you’re a student as much as you can.
2) If you fear that one of your friends or classmates might be struggling with an eating disorder there are a few warning signs to look out for.
Unusual amounts of talk centering around dieting, weight loss and dieting.
A dramatic weight change (this one is tricky because not everyone will look “dangerously thin” while struggling with an eating disorder. Everyone’s body is different and eating disorders are NOT about your weight. ONE MORE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. Eating disorders are not about weight. Someone at a “normal” weight could be struggling just as much as someone severely underweight.
Abnormal habits with food or around eating
Isolation from previously enjoyed activities.
These are just a few of the warning signs that you should look out for in others (and yourself). Eating disorders have a way of creeping into our lives without us even realizing it. To read more about warning signs click here.
3) Be honest with yourself. If you are overwhelmed and overworked with school and recognize any of these symptoms in yourself – talk to someone. A teacher, a counselor, a friend, a family member. Talking to anyone will help and will allow you to get the help you need before your eating disorder fully takes over your life.
With Love,
ED Recovery Blog