Eating Disorders and Social Anxiety in College Students: When Fitting In Feels Like Survival

College is often painted as a time of freedom and self-discovery—but for many students, it’s also a time of intense pressure. You’re meeting new people, navigating independence, managing academics, and trying to figure out who you are—all while being surrounded by constant social comparison. For students with social anxiety, this can feel overwhelming. And for some, it becomes the perfect environment for an eating disorder to take hold. The adjustment from being away from home and the transition from adolescence to adulthood can be huge triggers.

It’s understandable if college feels overwhelming—big transitions can stir anxiety and make control around food feel like safety.

The Hidden Link Between Social Anxiety and Eating Disorders
Social anxiety and eating disorders share a common thread: a deep fear of judgment. College life amplifies that fear—dining halls, parties, group projects, and even dorm life can all feel like stages where everyone is watching. The fear of saying the wrong thing or being perceived the wrong way can extend to food and body image: What will they think if I eat this? Do I look okay in this outfit? Will they notice if I don’t eat? In this process, disconnect from oneself and loss of identity can happen.

For some students, controlling food or exercise becomes a way to manage those fears. Restricting, bingeing, purging, or over-exercising can create the illusion of control in a world that feels unpredictable. Others might use food to soothe the anxiety that comes from social pressure, only to feel guilt and shame afterward. Over time, this cycle reinforces the belief that your worth depends on how you appear, not who you are. It’s also hard to know who you are when you have an eating disorder.

Why College Can Be a Perfect Storm
College brings freedom—but it also removes the structure and support that once provided stability. You might skip meals because of back-to-back classes, or avoid the dining hall because it feels too socially charged. Living with roommates can magnify body comparisons. Meanwhile, social media feeds are filled with “what I eat in a day” videos and “wellness” trends that blur the line between self-care and self-punishment. When you’re trying to figure out who you are as an adult, it can be easy to get sucked into these trends as you try to find your adult identity.

Add in academic pressure, homesickness, and a fear of not belonging, and it’s no surprise that both eating disorders and social anxiety often emerge—or worsen—during these years. The lack of structure and support can increase anxiety for many students who go away to college.

Add in academic pressure, homesickness, and a fear of not belonging, and it’s no surprise that both eating disorders and social anxiety often emerge—or worsen—during these years. It can feel confusing and overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out who you are.

It’s completely understandable if you feel lost in the mix of change and pressure. Trying to build your identity while managing anxiety and body image can feel like too much all at once.

Signs You Might Be Struggling

• Avoiding meals with friends or eating alone to manage anxiety

• Obsessing over what or how much you eat before social events

• Using food or exercise to cope with stress or to feel “in control”

• Constantly comparing your body or habits to others

• Feeling shame or panic after eating in front of others

If these patterns feel familiar, you’re not alone—and it’s not your fault. These behaviors often begin as coping mechanisms for anxiety and pressure, not as choices. The brain is also different. The reward system is different, so when people with eating disorders use behaviors there is a dopamine release. These behaviors probably make you feel better in the short term, but cause perpetuating guilt and shame in the long term. This creates a viscious cycle, which can make it harder to regulate emotions and feel more present. Luckily, therapy with a trained eating disorder therapist can help.

It makes sense if breaking the cycle feels hard—your brain is wired to find relief in these patterns. With the right support, you can learn new ways to feel calm and in control without turning against yourself.

Finding Support and Relief
Recovery starts with compassion, not control. Working with a therapist who understands both eating disorders and anxiety can help you unpack how these struggles interact. Skills from CBT and DBT can help quiet the inner critic, challenge perfectionistic thinking, and build confidence in social settings. You’ll be able to rebuild your relationship with food and feel more confident in social situations, making you feel more grounded and more regulated. You’ll also be able to connect with who you are as you discover your values and your identity as you move through the transition into adulthood.

College is a time to grow—not to change yourself to fit in. You deserve to eat without fear, to connect without self-criticism, and to build a life where your worth isn’t measured by how you look, but by who you’re becoming. Focus on your positive attributes and your values, and you’ll be guided in the right direction.

Feel confident and connected to yourself today!