Indicators Your College-Aged Child May Be Dealing With Relapse in Recovery

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope

Many parents often dream of sending their child to college, in the sense of the milestone academic, intellectual, mental, and emotional accomplishment that comes with this life transition.

And while this is an exciting point to reach in life, for both parent and child, this also brings an incredible amount of change and uncertainty. For the college student who is in recovery from an eating disorder, college can be a tremulous time that challenges efforts that are being made towards healing.

Being Aware of Relapse Indicators

Whether you will see your college student frequently or occasionally during their time in college, there are many helpful ways to stay connected and show your support of your child’s efforts in their recovery.

While your college student is transitioning into a phase of life in which they are gaining greater autonomy and becoming more independent, your role in their life may be changing but is no less important.

Especially as your child ventures to college while in recovery, it may be helpful to be aware of the indicators of relapse. If your college student is engaging in eating disorder behaviors once again in any form, these are serious red flags that should not be overlooked.

In addition, if your child seems to be struggling with their class load, is doing poorly academically, avoiding social situations, or unable to thrive as a college student, these are also important indicators to be aware of and address.

Approaching Your Loved One

You may be unsure how to best approach your college student in times of concern, however your love and support is foundational and crucial to their ability to move forward with their recovery. Be sure to initiate conversations that encourage regular and consistent communication.

Express any concerns you may have from a place of love, and offer a sense of accountability and support. As your child learns to navigate through their time as a college student while in recovery from an eating disorder, your presence and support in their life can make all the difference.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are factors that might indicate a relapse has occurred?

About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating.

Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 13, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com