Article
Why do eating struggles often start or worsen in college?
New schedules, dining halls, roommates, comparison and stress arrive all at once, usually the first year you are fully responsible for feeding yourself.
The short answer
College removes structure and adds pressure at the same time. Irregular eating, stress, comparison and the desire to control something in a chaotic season are a common combination, and eating concerns frequently begin or intensify during these years.
What makes it harder
You are eating at unpredictable times, often around people, often after a night of little sleep. Conversations about bodies and eating happen constantly in dorms and locker rooms.
At the same time, coursework is genuinely demanding, and eating is the easiest thing to drop or to control.
Signs it is worth telling someone
- Skipping meals because of time, and then feeling relieved about it.
- Thinking about food or your body through most of the day.
- Eating differently in private than in front of people.
- Feeling out of control after eating, then trying to compensate.
- Avoiding social plans because they involve food.
Getting help as a student
Counseling can happen in person in Waterloo or online anywhere in Iowa, which fits around class schedules. If your eating has affected your physical health, a medical evaluation comes first and works alongside counseling.
Telling one adult you trust is a legitimate first step. You do not need the whole thing figured out to start.
Common questions
Do you work with college students?
Yes. Lori works with women and female students, roughly ages 13 to 65.
Will my parents be told?
For adult students, sessions are confidential within the limits of Iowa law, which Lori explains at the start.
Can I meet online during the semester?
Yes, if you are physically in Iowa and have a private space.
Learn more about counseling for eating disorders and body image with Lori, or browse all articles on eating, food and body image.
Written by Lori Rasmussen, LISW, a Licensed Independent Social Worker licensed in the State of Iowa and a Certified Spiritual Director. Lori counsels women and female students in Waterloo, Iowa and online across Iowa. Articles here are meant to help you understand what you may be experiencing; they are not a diagnosis and they do not take the place of care from a professional who knows your story.
Reaching out can be the first step.
You don't need to know exactly what to say, or have anything figured out, before you contact Lori.
Or email rasmussencounselingandsd@gmail.com