<p>Those who have had relevant experiences/know people who have gone through it:
did the ED (esp. anorexia) get better or worse? </p>
<p>I have anorexia (relapsed and haven't gotten much better, although it's no where near as bad as the first time I got ill) and parents (understandably) are afraid that my ED will get worse if I move out and live on college campus in another country (I'm an international student. I really want to study abroad in the US. Although I recognize the risks involved with regards to my ED, I also feel that there is some chance that being on my own in a whole new environment in which I can thrive intellectually will help my recovery. I also plan to take advantage of the free counselling services in college. Of course, my parents are highly skeptical, as they feel safer to have me around for their watching. </p>
<p>It really depends on how the eating disorder affects you. I’ve had an awful time with an eating disorder in college because I had to get a meal plan where I couldn’t control exactly what I was eating. Moreover, being in dining halls surrounded by people who are constantly gorging on unhealthy food can also be overwhelming. If you’re constantly forced to eat with friends, then it’ll be especially tough. I honestly think your parents might be right in this situation. It really depends on how obsessive you are and how much you feel a need for control.</p>
<p>i have a question…do people with anorexia eat as much as they want or do they just eat very little? see i’ve always been really thin and i haven’t had a normal menstrual cycle at age 19 and i get VERY tired from exercising or doing physical activities.</p>
<p>Anorexia is more of a mental disorder, so it’s completely different from being naturally thin. They normally restrict, rather than eating what they want.</p>
<p>I had an eating disorder for 3 years, so I am sorry you are going through this. It really depends though. College will be stressful, and stress used to be a trigger for me. Depends how well you are able to fight it.</p>
<p>As an adult who went through anorexia and bulimia both during my teen years as well as later as a 30+ year old, I can tell you that you should not consider moving far away from home until you have been cleared medically by a doctor. Are you physically stable? Are you still restricting, but also allowing yourself to eat some so that you feel honestly OK physically? There are different degrees of the ed at different times. You will need a doc near school who can really monitor you. Many schools will also not hesitate to tell you that you must leave school if they are concerned about your well-being. You say you have relapsed, and not gotten much better. Are you working toward recovery again, or are you entrenched in the behaviors and mindset? Do you honestly WANT to be healthy and recovered? If you will go to college, and use the ed to control your anxiety, fears, anger, whatever, then no, you are not ready to move to the US. If you will come here determined to be honest with yourself, keep yourself physically and mentally working toward health, and seek help the minute you feel yourself slipping, then maybe you are. EDs are a coping mechanism. Are you working to develop healthier coping mechanisms? Only you know where your mind and desires are really at. I am not saying that anyone desires to be sick, but the desire for control no matter what is the driving force, and you have to be able to honestly say you don’t have that self-harming desire. I really hope you can get and stay healthy. You have an exciting life ahead of you, but not if you can’t enjoy it because you are always sick, run down, tired, worried about numbers on a scale, etc.</p>
<p>I think that with all the changes that come with going to college, your disorder will probably either get much better or get worse. College can produce a lot of anxiety, which might lead to more problems, but being in a completely new place and having a fresh start could work wonders. I used to self-injure for a long time (not the same I know, but in some ways it is similar) and I was worried about what going away to college would do in terms of that. Fortunately, I have never looked back and I know that going away was EXACTLY what I needed - I am two years clean and I feel absolutely awesome. There are also lots of support systems on most campuses as well, so as long as you are aware if you start to get worse you can get help if you need to. It’s just important to get help if you do feel your disorder is getting worse.</p>