College life and eating disorders
College is supposed to be one of the most exciting times in your life. It’s where students meet new people, gain independence, and figure out who they are. But for many college students, it’s also where struggles with food, body image, and mental health quietly begin — or get worse.
Looks can be deceiving
Eating disorders do not always look obvious. You can’t tell if someone has a problem with food based on their body size. They are not just about dramatic weight loss or skipping meals. Sometimes they begin with obsessively tracking calories, feeling guilty after eating, overexercising, stress eating during finals week, or constantly comparing yourself to others on social media.
In college, unhealthy habits can become normalized very quickly. Pulling all-nighters, replacing meals with coffee, and joking about “earning” food at the gym are often treated like part of student life. But over time, these behaviors can take a serious toll on both physical and mental health.
Pressure to look and be perfect
What makes college especially difficult is the pressure students face every day. There is pressure to succeed academically, stay socially active, look attractive, and appear put together all at the same time. Social media only adds to that pressure. Seeing filtered photos, fitness trends, and “perfect” lifestyles online can make students feel like they are constantly falling behind.
Food is not the issue
The fact is that eating disorders are deeply connected to mental health. They are not about vanity or attention. People do not choose to have an eating disorder. Many students struggling with eating issues are also dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, stress, loneliness, depression or low self-esteem. Food and body image can become ways to cope when life feels overwhelming or out of control. Left untreated, symptoms get worse, not better.
Recovery is possible
But the good news is that I offer specialized treatment for eating disorders and recovery is possible. I am here to listen and help you decide your next step.
If food, weight or body image is taking up more space in your head then you desire, give me a call to see if we are a good fit.
You don’t have to suffer alone.
Reach out today to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation
Call: (734) 741-8584
Text: (734) 741-8584
Dr. Sheri Szuch is a licensed clinical psychologist in Michigan. She earned her
doctorate in 1989 from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.
She has extensive training and experience in treating eating disorders across all levels
of care. For more than 35 years, she has worked with teens, college students, and
adults on eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, anxiety, and
depression. In the late 1990s, she founded the nonprofit Eating Disorder League of
Michigan, a multidisciplinary group focused on increasing awareness and expanding
resources in local communities. She remains active in the American Psychological
Association and the National Eating Disorders Association and stays current with
emerging research and evidence-based treatments. She is available for in-person and
video therapy appointments in Ann Arbor, MI.
doctorate in 1989 from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.
She has extensive training and experience in treating eating disorders across all levels
of care. For more than 35 years, she has worked with teens, college students, and
adults on eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, anxiety, and
depression. In the late 1990s, she founded the nonprofit Eating Disorder League of
Michigan, a multidisciplinary group focused on increasing awareness and expanding
resources in local communities. She remains active in the American Psychological
Association and the National Eating Disorders Association and stays current with
emerging research and evidence-based treatments. She is available for in-person and
video therapy appointments in Ann Arbor, MI.
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