“Too Much on My Plate”: Transitioning to College with an Eating Disorder

Abstract

Eating disorders are common in the adolescent and young adult years and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. This chapter describes the case of a young woman with a history of anorexia nervosa of the binge-purge type, who presents for an initial consultation several months before transitioning to college. While stable at the time of matriculation, she begins to relapse shortly after classes begin. The case presentation illustrates the development of concerning behaviors, identification by college administration, and involvement of parents in helping connect her to appropriate treatment. Discussion focuses on the importance and practicalities of developing a multidisciplinary treatment team, including medical and mental health providers, as well as a dietitian, to create treatment guidelines allowing the student to remain enrolled at school.