Being isolated, especially for an extended period, can be very difficult on mental and physical health. It often leads to loneliness, sadness, or distress that comes from a sense of disconnection from others. It’s not just physical solitude but also a lack of meaningful social connections that can bring on these feelings.
Many people struggling with physical or emotional isolation turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including eating disorder behaviors, to help. If someone is already struggling with disordered eating, isolation can also play an important role in prolonging those behaviors.
In this article, we will discuss strategies to overcome isolation and find a community in your eating disorder recovery journey.
Understanding the Role of Isolation in Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are often powered by a negative self-perception and low self-esteem.4 When you are socially isolated, you lack the support and connection that can help protect you against these types of thoughts and feelings.
Even if you are around others, you might feel emotionally isolated—like you can’t share your feelings or experiences. This can create a scenario where these negative feelings and experiences continue or even get worse as time goes on, leading to more potential complications.
On the other hand, having an eating disorder can often lead to feelings of isolation. This may occur due to a desire to conceal eating habits, avoid criticism, or prevent feeling misunderstood by others.
In either case, it’s a common combination. A 2022 study investigated the relationship between loneliness, social support, and eating disorders. The results showed that people with eating disorders had higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of social support. This meant they felt lonelier and less supported by those around them.1
The Link Between Isolation and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and isolation often feed into each other in a vicious cycle, which is why it’s such a dangerous combination.
For example, when someone feels isolated, they may use disordered eating behaviors to cope with their emotions and loneliness. These behaviors can lead to further withdrawal from social interactions as someone tries to hide their eating behaviors or struggles with feelings of shame. This withdrawal then intensifies the sense of isolation, which can make the eating disorder symptoms more severe, and so on.
Some aspects of both eating disorders and isolation that help keep this cycle intact include:
Shame: Shame surrounding disordered eating habits can lead to the belief that you are unworthy of support, or make reaching out feel intimidating or frightening. Low self-esteem: A negative self-image can lead to the belief that you are not valuable enough to form, or do not deserve, meaningful relationships. Fear of rejection: You might worry that others will not accept you when you’re reaching out or forming new connections. This can also be connected to low self-esteem. Past trauma: Previous negative experiences or trauma can create mistrust and reluctance to engage with others. Negative thinking patterns: Negative thought patterns, especially those tied to self-perception, can prevent you from seeking connections.
Loneliness and eating disorders can lead to each other in a number of ways. A 2022 study found that boys who felt lonely at age 15 were more likely to develop disordered eating by approximately age 17. On the other hand, girls with disordered eating behaviors at age 17 experienced more loneliness at age 22. This increased the risk of disordered eating and bulimic behaviors by age 28.2
A sense of belonging, being heard or seen, or feeling that you’re part of a community can be a powerful antidote to loneliness, isolation, and the negative thoughts and behaviors they encourage.
A connection with others can help create a sense of being understood, supported, or otherwise safe. And close relationships can offer outlets for talking about uncomfortable feelings or experiences rather than letting them fester. When it comes to eating disorder recovery, those benefits become an important part of long-term healing.
Many people in recovery find help when connecting with others who have gone through similar struggles. This connection can often provide comfort and reassurance throughout the recovery journey. Sharing experiences with people who have faced similar challenges can help you feel less alone and more understood.
In recovery groups, members often work towards common goals. This helps keep everyone accountable and committed to their journey. Additionally, these communities share practical tools, coping strategies, and resources about eating disorders and recovery.
Engaging with a supportive community can also reduce isolation and help you build social connections and a network of supportive relationships.
Many eating disorder treatment plans involve aspects of community or support network building. There are different types of community support that you can engage in, depending on your preferences and current circumstances.
Support Groups
Support groups are a type of group-based intervention that can provide you with support and guidance as you work toward recovery from eating disorders.
Support groups are often led by people who have personal experience with eating disorders, either as survivors or as supporters of those in recovery. The main focus is to provide mutual support, share personal experiences, and offer encouragement. Members can discuss challenges, successes, and coping strategies in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Support groups are often less formal than group therapy; many are open to the public. This means you can participate in a support group whether or not you’re currently in formal treatment for an eating disorder. Many people continue attending support group meetings after leaving formal treatment as a way to stay actively engaged in recovery.
Therapy Groups
According to the Beyond Blue and National Eating Disorders Collaboration in Australia, individuals with eating disorders are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Research also shows that almost half of adolescents with eating disorders experience anxiety and depression.3
Therapy groups focus on addressing these types of underlying psychological issues that contribute to the eating disorder. Led by a licensed therapist or mental health professionals who specialize in treating these conditions, sessions often follow a structured program or treatment model. They may include specific exercises, psychoeducation, and skill-building activities.
Group therapy can also help teach you how to develop or reinforce healthy coping skills for depression, anxiety, poor body image, and other psychological drivers of eating disorders.
Online Communities and Forums
Online communities and forums are digital spaces where you can connect, share experiences, and seek support in your recovery journey from eating disorders. These platforms offer various features such as discussion threads, chat rooms, resource sharing, and sometimes even professional advice.
These digital spaces are available 24/7, which means that you can have access to support whenever you need it, regardless of your location. Many online forums allow users to participate anonymously, which can be comforting for those who feel uncomfortable sharing their struggles in person.
If you live in a remote area, have mobility issues, live a busy life, are socially anxious, or lack local support groups, you can find a community online.
Other Social Activities
Aside from groups specifically focused on eating disorder recovery, there are various community groups that participate in healthy, enjoyable, and enriching activities. These kinds of classes can help you continue developing your social skills and building a sense of community and connection:
Community meditation classes: Group mindfulness practices can help you develop awareness and self-compassion. These classes can reduce stress and promote a healthier relationship with food and body image. Art classes: These classes allow you to use visual arts to express your feelings and experiences. This can be a powerful tool for emotional healing and self-discovery in a group setting. Nutritional education and cooking classes: You can learn to prepare balanced, nutritious meals together with others. These events often emphasize the importance of healthy eating habits and reduce anxiety around food by making cooking a shared, enjoyable activity. Group yoga or dance classes: These are gentle, community-oriented exercise sessions that focus on body positivity and mindfulness. These classes promote a positive connection with your body and encourage healthy movement. Volunteer and service activities: Participating in volunteer work with a group can provide you with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Working together to help others can shift focus from the disorder to positive contributions to the community.
Joining a community doesn’t just help immediately relieve the stress of loneliness, it can help you continue on your recovery journey for the long run, with benefits like:
Accountability and motivation: A community helps you stay motivated and accountable in your recovery journey, which reduces the likelihood of relapse. Being part of a group with similar recovery goals also makes it easier for you to maintain focus and commitment over time. Healthy coping mechanisms: In a community, you can share and learn effective coping strategies to better manage stress, triggers, and challenges. Deep social connections: The relationships you form within a recovery community can develop into deep, lifelong friendships and provide you with a consistent support network even after formal recovery programs end. Continuous learning: Communities often provide opportunities for ongoing education about recovery, mental health, and self-care and help you stay informed and adapt to new challenges as they arise.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Recovery is not about achieving perfection but rather about making consistent progress. Celebrate your small victories, and be kind to yourself on the tough days. Remember that every effort counts.
Moreover, it is a journey that you don’t have to take alone. Reach out to those who care about you, and let them walk beside you. Support is a powerful tool in your recovery.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published September 19, 2024.
Michael is a licensed clinical social worker with a private therapy practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He specializes in helping children and teens with mental health concerns. He is passionate about providing effective and compassionate care.
He is an advocate for mental health awareness, and is the founder of Mental Health Center Kids, a website that provides resources and support for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals who care for children and teens.
