TL; DR The holidays can be the first opportunity parents have to notice changes in their college student that may signal an eating disorder. Eating disorders often disguise themselves as “healthy habits,” making them easy to miss until they’ve taken a stronger hold. Warning signs include noticeable weight changes, food avoidance or rigidity, increased exercise …
TL;DR The “Freshman 15” is more myth than reality. Research doesn’t support that most college students gain fifteen pounds, and the fear surrounding it does far more harm than the weight gain itself ever could. What often goes unmentioned is that some weight gain during the college years is completely normal and expected, since the …
TL; DR When it comes to sending a young adult with an eating disorder off to college, six months of demonstrated recovery is recommended. Summer break simply doesn’t replicate the academic pressure, social dynamics, and independence of college life, making it an unreliable measure of true college readiness. Six months allows enough time for recovery …
TL; DR Transitioning to college can be especially challenging for young adults with eating disorders. The stress of new environments, social pressures, and lifestyle changes can exacerbate their struggles. To assess readiness, it’s crucial to evaluate their recovery over the past six months, ensuring they’ve maintained a healthy weight, avoided eating disorder behaviors, and can …
Transitioning to college can be exciting yet challenging, especially for those with a history of eating disorders. It’s crucial to prioritize your recovery during this time. Here are key strategies: Build a Support System: Reach out to family, friends, and potential new connections at college. Keep a list of contacts for support. Follow Your Meal …
Dr. Muhlheim gives this webinar once every year in February. Email Hello@EDTLA.com with the subject line “Purchase college readiness” to purchase the recording from 2026 webinar. Are you a parent of a High School Junior or Senior with an eating disorder? Learn how to ensure your student is ready for the transition to college. Attend …
![Eating Disorder College Contract in Los Angeles, CA [Image description: photo of a hand signing a contract] representing a potential college contract for a hopeful college student with an eating disorder in California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/business-g3f957d100_1920-1024x768.jpg)
What is an eating disorder college contract? And do you need one? If you are sending a young adult with a history of an eating disorder to college (or seminary or another away program), it is a good idea to have a college contract in place. This is our recommendation for young adults with anorexia, …
![College, COVID, and Eating Disorders [Image description: woman with mask in front of computer] represents a potential college student with an eating disorder having online therapy in California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/engin-akyurt-WBM97UGM0QA-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
As I’ve talked about in depth, the transition to college away from home is challenging for most young adults. It is especially fraught for young adults with eating disorders. In that article, I provided an Eating Disorder College Readiness Checklist. The article provides guidance for parents of students entering college after a history of an …
I often write about the importance of including parents in the treatment of adolescents and young adults. My work is informed by my training in Family-based Treatment (FBT). A central component of this treatment is empowering parents to help their ailing children with eating disorders return to health. When asked why families should be the …