Using an Eating Disorder to Cope with Social Anxiety During College

Greek life. Dorm life. On-campus clubs. Intramural sports. So many avenues to interact with new people. So, how do you cope with social anxiety if you struggle with it?

College offers many new and exciting opportunities to make both friends and memories. Oftentimes, these four years (and sometimes five or six) of undergrad create positive, indelible relationships. I talk almost daily to some of my girlfriends from college, which happened (ahem) 20 years ago for me, and, although we’re spread across the country, I see them every few months.

But it wasn’t always this way. Freshman year, I felt socially on the fringe.  I was overwhelmed by always having to be “on,” with my roommates, in class, during parties. This is when my eating disorder essentially began and how I began to cope with social anxiety.

Turns out, my experience isn’t unusual. Many college students use disordered eating, overexercise, and even full-blown eating disorders to deal with university pressures, including anxiety on the social scene.

Anxiety and Pressure Can Cause Bigger Problems

Anxiety is the echo of an eating disorder. In fact, psychologist Judy Scheel says “Most of us in the eating disorder professional community accept anxiety is often accompanied by an eating disorder, and the eating disorder acts to ameliorate the anxiety, i.e. not eating or restricting foods allows you to cope with social anxiety… and the purging effects of bulimia have shown to both physiologically and psychologically have a calming effect.” ^[1]

Social pressures and anxiety have only increased as social media becomes ubiquitous to the college campus. Not only do students have to worry about others’ perceptions in person or on the phone, they also have to look good on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

Research shows two-thirds of individuals with eating disorders had one or more lifetime anxiety order; and the rate of anxiety disorders is virtually even among bulimia, restrictive anorexia, and anorexia with the binge/purge cycle. ^[2] The most common anxiety disorder was obsessive compulsive disorder (41%), followed by social phobia (21%).

Negative Self-Talk

See, negative self-talk and self-perception is very common in people with eating disorders. They normally don’t feel comfortable in their skin for myriad reasons, like something is wrong with not only their body, but also their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions.

“Often, the self-loathing, shame, and self-criticism that eating disorder sufferers feel … is projected on to other people who they imbue with the power to hurt them or make them not feel safe, or valued,” says Scheel, author of “When Food Is Family: A Loving Approach to Heal Eating Disorders.”

Of course we’re going to be anxious around people who we believe don’t value or accept us; and how could they if we don’t value and accept ourselves.

Colleges and universities have taken steps to address eating disorders among students by offering access to mental health professionals, specialized treatment programs, educational programs, and peer support groups.

Locate Student Services

Anxiety on the Rise

Anxiety is on the rise on college campuses and has recently passed depression as the most common health diagnosis among college students, though depression is increasing, too, according to a recent New York Times article. ^[3] Nearly 1 in 6 college students has been diagnosed with or treated for an anxiety disorder in the last 12 months, the article reports.

The tie between eating disorders and social anxiety isn’t a surprise, considering perfectionism and fear of criticism are substantial precursors of an eating disorder. Eating disorders frequently stem from an obsessive fear that the person will make a mistake and receive criticism for it. ^[4] This article goes on to say the fear underlying social phobia is also at the root of disordered eating.

College Can Add to Pressure

College only underscores these fears with increased academic and social pressures. In my freshman Speech 101 course, two people had panic attacks when we had to give speeches before 150-plus of our peers sitting in a large lecture hall. And aren’t most of us afraid to speak before big groups of people? I know I can be. I fear I’ll slip on my way to the podium, stumble over words, sweat buckets, etc.

Most people eventually shake this off, but when you’re predisposed to negative thinking, the feeling can be unbearable. The fear is so great, so intense, some people simply can’t function normally. They feel out of control. But their food? Their weight? That’s something they can control, something they can get right.

If college students can manage social anxiety in healthy ways, we may be able to prevent and better treat eating disorders. 

Reduce and cope with social anxiety with these tips: ^[5]

• Know your triggers and how to deal with them: Is it speaking before large groups or social engagements or classroom presentations? Learn how to calm yourself in these situations.
• Evaluate your living situation: Make efforts to create a place where you can unwind and chill.
• Tell your friends: They can encourage you and be sure you’re not isolating.
• Develop relationships with your professors: Bring a professor or two into your support system. Talk to them during office hours and share how the classroom experience sparks your anxiety.
• Make time to relax: You need to hit the reset button.
• Watch alcohol intake: Sure, you want to calm your social nerves, but be careful. About 20% of people with social anxiety also abuse or are addicted to alcohol.

About the Author:

Leigh Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Creative Writing and French from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She is a published author, journalist with 15 years of experience, and a recipient of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism. Leigh is recovered from a near-fatal, decade-long battle with anorexia and the mother of three young, rambunctious children.

References:

1. Scheel, J. (2012, September 18). Eating Disorders and Social Anxiety. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
2. Kaye, W., Bulik, C., Thornton, L., & Masters, K. (2004). Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(12), 2215-2221.
3. Hoffman, J. (2015, May 27). Anxious Students Strain College Mental Health Centers. New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
4. Eating Disorders and Social Anxiety. (2012, October 5). Retrieved August 8, 2015, from http://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health/eating-disorders-social-anxiety
5. Borges, A. (2014, May 10). Social Anxiety in College: How to Deal. Retrieved August 10, 2015.

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 a 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 August 28, 2015. Published on EatingDisorderHope.com