Dr. Ross Krawczyk is a professor of clinical psychology whose area of expertise include eating disorders and anxiety. In observance of World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2024, he answered five questions about these issues, how they affect college students and how to get help or help a friend who appears to be struggling.
1. What are some early signs of an eating disorder or challenges with body image that college students might experience?
Early signs of an eating disorder include:
- Significant anxiety about food, weight, calories, or dieting
- Refusal to eat certain foods or eliminating whole foods groups, such as carbs
- Avoidance of meal or other food-related situations
- Significant anxiety about body weight or shape
2. What are ways that social media and campus culture influence body image?
The most influential cultural factors, especially through social media, are unrealistic appearance ideals. Two such ideals are the most important: The Thin Ideal is the over-valuation of thinness and low body fat, usually in women. The Muscular Ideal is the over-valuation of muscle size and appearance, usually in men.
These ideals are most harmful when they are portrayed in unrealistic ways, and the viewer internalizes them and compares themselves to the portrayal. Social media is especially harmful due to the common use of image filters that often exaggerate these ideals.
3. Do you have general tips for cultivating a more positive body image despite these pressures?
It is often helpful to challenge the unrealistic appearance ideals, seeing them for what they are, often altered images that do not represent reality.
It is also helpful to focus on what our bodies can do, rather than how they appear. For example, “My body is good at volleyball” is a much healthier thought than “My waist needs to be 1 inch narrower” or “My weight needs to be 5 pounds lower.”
4. Anxiety is another issue that students sometimes struggle with. Do you have practical strategies for managing anxiety, especially as it impacts academic performance and social interactions?
Self-care is vital. Get enough nutrition, sleep, exercise and down time. To manage anxiety in the moment, a variety of relaxation techniques can be quite helpful, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. They don't all work for everyone, so the key is to find what works for you.
5. How do I know if I need professional help for any of these issues? What is the difference between being able to cope on my own and the need to seek expert advice?
When anxiety, mood, substance abuse or any other mental health issue is a concern, ask yourself “How much does this affect my life?" and "Do I struggle with this more than most people?" If the answers are "a lot" and "yes," it is a good idea to seek expert help. Talking to a mental health provider once does not obligate you to attend therapy.
If you have concerns, reach out to the Office of Counseling and Wellness, or find a provider that accepts your insurance (do this by calling the number on the insurance card).