Coping with anorexia at uni - advice?

xXdrunk on shadowsXx · 19-09-2010, 06:18 PM

Does anyone have an advice about how to cope with anorexia at uni? I'm semi-recovered but finding it difficult here. Like eating in front of people is so hard and I have to cook for myself so I know how many calories are in everything. Right now I should be making dinner but there are a few people in the kitchen cooking and I'm too nervous to go in there. I don't really want my flatmates to find out and I don't want to slip back into old ways.

Any help would be appreciated :)

random.swirls · 19-09-2010, 07:10 PM

I found it really helpful telling my flatmates what was going on as it kind of gave me a fall back in that they kept an eye on me and what not.

Have you told the uni support services? Again they were a huge help cause when I felt things were slipping I could go to them before things got to bad?

Maybe you need to look at what your struggling with and find ways to combat that e.g. the lack of structure - maybe make a meal pan

That sort of thing

Annaberry · 19-09-2010, 09:43 PM

I agree that you should possibly seek some help, just so you know you have some support to fall back on.
I also think a meal plan would be a good idea.

Can you think of how difficult it was when you were in the hardest part of your ED? Maybe if you think of how far you've come since then, and how much you had to fight, then you can get some strength to stay away?
Maybe write a list of all the bad things of anorexia, to remind yourself when you're feeling low.

I'm sorry you're feeling like this and I'm sorry I don't have more advice, but you absolutely deserve to recover and be happy <3

makedamnsure · 20-09-2010, 10:08 AM

I know how you feel about eating in front of people etc.
I share a house with a few people and find it hard to find time in the kitchen to myself.

Its not ideal, but I rely on things that are quick to cook:
Pasta, microwaved Jacket potato etc, beans on toast. So that if I get 10 minutes in the kitchen I can make something quickly and take it back to my room to eat.

If you get time when everyone is out perhaps make large portions of something (chilli/bolognese) and freeze it so that you always have something quick to make. Or make sandwiches in the morning before everyone is up and put them in the fridge for later.

Or just tell them you hate cooking and eating in front of people and can they give you a bit of time on your own.

My boyfriend is really good about kicking everyone out of the kitchen for me when I don't have the confidence to speak up.