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Eating Disorders and Studying Abroad in the U.S.
Struggling with an eating disorder can be difficult even when you are surrounded by supportive family and friends, so studying abroad while in eating disorder recovery can often feel overwhelming. Questions of where to seek help, finding supportive individuals, and gathering a treatment team can be difficult.
Eating disorders affect individuals of all ages, but they are especially prominent among college students. According to the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA), 15 percent of women ages 17 to 24 have an eating disorder, and 20 percent of all college students said they currently have, or previously struggled with, an eating disorder [1].
Often times, college students wait to seek help until the disorder is at a more advanced stage due to cultural differences in recognizing eating disorders, stigma around mental health, or denial of severity of the issue.
Seeking Eating Disorder Treatment On Campus
Seeking treatment can feel daunting, but the first place to start is at your University counseling center on campus. At your counseling center, there are trained professional counselors that can assess, give counseling sessions, and refer to local treatment centers if higher level of care is needed.
At most universities, counseling is free or covered under your university health plan insurance. Some schools may also offer support groups for those struggling.
Within the community, there are online eating disorder options for seeking help. Finding a place to get support through groups can be a wonderful way to start or stay in recovery.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) offers online forums for eating disorder support. NEDA’s site offers additional range of services and support, including a comprehensive guide for colleges, as well as nationwide resources and a helpline. Make sure when searching for online support to avoid “pro-ana” or “pro-mia” or “thinspo” sites, which are supportive of eating disorder behaviors [2].
For some, a higher level of care is needed for treatment and financial assistance may be required. There are organizations that can help, such as Project HEAL, which provides treatment scholarships on a case-by-case basis. This organization also offers a large online recovery community that is open to the public for support and advice.
When students enter college life, the realities of increased workload, decreased structure, and more focus on peers can increase symptoms of anxiety, learning issues or low self-esteem, especially when living in a different country.
With many students feeling overwhelmed by these new experiences, eating disorders can develop to create a false sense of control over the stressful environment [3].
According to Dr. Baker, a child and adolescent psychopharmacology, college can be a time of great excitement and stimulation, as well as stress.
Dr. Baker goes on to say that, “It asks young people who are not yet adults to act in a very adult way, especially if they are contending with mental illness and suddenly have to begin managing it on their own [3].”
Another resource for those struggling with an eating disorder while studying abroad in the U.S. is College Response [4]. This is a program that was developed by Screening for Mental Health (SMH), which promotes the prevention, early detection, and treatment of prevalent and treatable mental health disorders and alcohol issues.
This allows students to be able to self-screen for depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, generalized anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol use disorders.
If the student utilizes this online tool and scores positive for an issue, they can stop by the counseling center, and the clinician at the counseling center will be on hand to talk through concerns. The program also offers immediate referral information.
Off-Campus Resources for Eating Disorder Recovery
If you are looking for resources off-campus, then Eating Disorder Hope and NEDA have a wealth of information available for local treatment facilities in your area.
Often, treatment centers will do phone assessments and in-person assessments, if there is an issue with transportation. They can also coordinate insurance coverage and payment options for treatment coverage.
Often, students will follow up with their local general practitioner to seek out referrals and assistance for eating disorder treatment. Doctors will have referrals or other providers that they know who specialize in eating disorders.
Seeking Help While Studying Abroad
Realizing you have an eating disorder is the first step in the recovery process. Do not be afraid to speak up and seek help. Professionals both on- and off-campus are willing and able to help you overcome your eating disorder.
Many Universities also offer Let’s Talk programs, where counselors have drop-in hours outside the counseling office at various locations on campus [5].
Here, students can come and meet for 20 minutes or so to seek advice or learn more about what counseling is. Let’s Talk is not a counseling session. It provides students with easy access to free, brief, and confidential consultations.
In conclusion, if you are struggling with an eating disorder while studying abroad in the U.S., there are various options for seeking assistance and help. Look into your university’s options, as well as off-campus referrals and treatment centers. Remember you are not in your eating disorder alone!
About the Author: Libby Lyons is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). Libby has been practicing in the field of eating disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety and other comorbid issues in various agencies. Libby has previously worked as a contractor for the United States Air Force Domestic Violence Program, Saint Louis University Student Health and Counseling, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute Eating Disorders Program, and has been in Private Practice.
Libby currently works as a counselor at Fontbonne University and is a Adjunct Professor at Saint Louis University, and is a contributing author for Addiction Hope and Eating Disorder Hope. Libby lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, and watching movies.
References:
[1] Owen, P. R., Laurel-Seller, E. (2000). Weight and shape ideals: Thin is dangerously in. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30, 979-990.[2] Bennett, J. (2008). Picture perfect. Newsweek. Retrieved June 9, 2017 from http://www.newsweek.com/backlash-against-magazine-airbrushing-89805
[3] Slater, A. et al. (2012). Reality check: an experimental investigation of the addition of warning labels to fashion magazine images on women’s mood and body dissatisfaction. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 31:2, 105-122.
[4] Rollero, C. (2015). ‘I know you are not real:’ salience of photo retouching reduces the negative effects of media exposure via internalization. Studia Psychologia, 57, 195-202.
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.
Published on July 18, 2017.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 18, 2017.
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
