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By: Jennifer Rollin, LCSW-C, Therapist & Founder of The Eating Disorder Center  At this point in my life, while I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, I am grateful that I had pretty intense school-related anxiety in college and also struggled with an eating disorder. What’s behind my gratitude is multi-faceted, however, one of the reasons is that I have so much empathy for my clients who are struggling with school-related anxiety (in high school or college) and also in recovery from an eating disorder. While I’ve written a lot about eating disorders over the years, I haven’t written as much about school-related anxiety and how to cope, especially for those of us who have perfectionistic tendencies. So, today I want to both share a little bit more about my experience of school-related anxiety in college and provide some tips for those who are currently in the midst of it. A Bit About My Experience With School-Related Anxiety and Eating Disorder Recovery In college, I saw a therapist weekly and I remember going into sessions talking about how I was extremely anxious about upcoming exams. As a result, I overcompensated by spending hours upon hours studying in the library (and meticulously retyping my study guide over and over again) beyond what I needed to do. Frequently, but not always, I got good grades, particularly towards the last two years of college. However, because I did not challenge the compulsive behaviors I was doing around studying, I felt that I ‘needed’ to do them or I would fail. The anxiety felt paralyzing at times. I worried a lot about the future and my career aspirations. At the time, my grades felt like a measurement of my worth. I remember studying really hard for one exam where the teacher ended up testing us on things that were not on the study guide. I got a D and had a breakdown over it. I also deeply struggled with an eating disorder and switching to a therapist who specialized in treating eating disorders was one of the big factors that helped me. At the worst, most of my day was consumed by thoughts about food and my body. It was so exhausting. I felt totally trapped by my own brain. It was miserable, but similar to grades, I was terrified at the thought of my body changing. I am so grateful to not be struggling with an eating disorder anymore. Tips for Coping With School-Related Anxiety 1. Work to separate grades from your worth, as well as addressing any perfectionistic parts (if you have a tendency towards perfectionism). This is not to say that grades do not matter at all, rather that what you score on an exam is not a measurement of your worth or value as a person. You are already worthy, no matter what grade you get on something. It’s important to also address (ideally in therapy) any perfectionistic (or obsessive compulsive) parts that might be making you miserable as they relate to school. Through therapy, you can also unpack what wounds perfectionism may be trying to keep you from and other ways to build up your sense of self and self-worth. 2. Remember that what is happening now is simply one small dot on the big painting that is your life. I know it can feel all consuming if you get a grade that you aren’t happy with. It’s so important to try to put things into perspective. Remind yourself that this is one small dot on the larger painting that is your life. Many successful people have received a grade that they were not happy with. Notice the stories that you’re telling yourself around this grade and if they are unhelpful try to respond with something that is more helpful. I’ll give an example below: Unhelpful Response: “I got a D on this test. It’s the end of the world. I will never succeed in my life or get into law school.” More Helpful Response: “I got a D on this test. I know this hurts AND it’s not the end of the world. Plenty of successful people have not always gotten a grade they were happy about. Right now, I will take time to be compassionate with myself and when I’m feeling better I can strategize around howI can better prepare for future tests.” 3. Practice self-compassion. You deserve to be kind to yourself! Beating yourself up for getting a grade you aren’t happy about is not the recipe for success. You can also practice being kind to yourself if you are struggling with school-related anxiety. It’s NOT your fault if you are struggling with anxiety. The same way it would not be your fault if you had a broken leg. You deserve to treat yourself with compassion and care when your mind is racing with anxious thoughts. 4. Work to reduce rumination. Ruminating about school endlessly is like rocking on a rocking chair-it doesn’t actually get you anywhere. I know resisting the urge to ruminate is hard AND it can be so helpful when it comes to managing anxiety symptoms. You can practice telling yourself, “If and when that happens, I’ll deal with it then,” and, “I trust my future self to handle future problems, it's not helpful to worry about them now.” Practicing non-engagement responses to ruminative thoughts and trying to bring yourself back to the present moment can also be helpful. The Bottom Line Being a student struggling with school-related anxiety and also being in recovery from an eating disorder is a lot! You deserve to be kind to yourself and to seek professional, specialized help from a therapist who is knowledgeable about eating disorder recovery and anxiety. At The Eating Disorder Center we love working with high school, college, and grad school students. We’d love to help you with both eating disorder recovery and coping with school-related anxiety. Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom. 🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, NY, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy 🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
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If you or a loved one is grappling with an eating disorder in Bethesda, Maryland, finding the right eating disorder therapist is the first step toward healing. At The Eating Disorder Center, we understand the deep struggles that come with eating disorders, and we’re here to help. Our therapy center serves individuals and families seeking eating disorder therapy in Bethesda, Maryland. Our therapists focus on treating eating disorders, using therapy approaches designed to address the emotional and behavioral aspects of recovery, while also working to heal any underlying issues. We treat Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, ARFID, OSFED, Orthorexia, compulsive exercise, and body image issues. In addition, we are experienced in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, which can often co-occur with eating disorders. Our experienced team of therapists is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective eating disorder treatment serving Bethesda, Maryland. We offer a range of services that cater to the unique needs of each individual. We work closely with you to develop a custom treatment plan which helps you build a healthier relationship with food, your body, and your whole self. Why choose The Eating Disorder Center therapy services, serving Bethesda, Maryland?The Eating Disorder Center provides a comprehensive, personalized approach to eating disorder therapy in Bethesda. Our therapists specialize in treating all forms of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and more. We offer a safe, welcoming environment where you can begin your healing journey, guided by professionals who truly care about your recovery. How we stand out with eating disorder treatment in Bethesda, Maryland:1. Expert, Compassionate Eating Disorder TherapistsOur team of licensed and experienced eating disorder therapists serving Bethesda are highly trained in various therapeutic approaches and treatments for eating disorders, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These evidence-based therapies have proven effective in helping individuals understand and change the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to eating disorders. We understand that eating disorders are complex conditions that involve both psychological and physical components. That’s why we take a holistic approach to treatment, combining therapy with nutritional counseling and family support to ensure comprehensive healing. Whether you're struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or another disordered eating behavior, we’re here to help you overcome the challenges you face. 2. Tailored Eating Disorder Therapy PlansWe recognize that every individual is unique, which is why our eating disorder therapy serving Bethesda is personalized to meet your specific needs. During your initial consultation, we’ll work with you to understand your situation and create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals. Our eating disorder therapists will be with you every step of the way. 3. Personally Recovered Eating Disorder TherapistsMany of our clinicians are either personally recovered or have supported a loved one in recovery. We are Health at Every Size informed and we believe this approach is a crucial element of treatment. 4. Collaborative CareOur team works closely with registered dietitians who specialize in eating disorders to provide guidance on nutrition, meal planning, and food-related behaviors. We also collaborate with client's psychiatrists, medical doctors and allied service providers in order to provide the best care. 5. Our Founder Was Recently Named Best Individual Therapist 2025 in the Best of Bethesda AwardsAt The Eating Disorder Center, we are proud to announce that our founder was recently honored with the Best Individual Therapist 2025 award in the Best of Bethesda Awards. This recognition speaks to the high level of expertise, dedication, and compassionate care that we bring to our work. Our founder’s commitment to supporting individuals through their eating disorder recovery is at the core of everything we do, and we’re honored to serve the Bethesda community. Start Your Journey to Recovery Today Eating disorders are challenging, but full recovery is possible with the right support. At The Eating Disorder Center, serving Bethesda, Maryland, we provide eating disorder therapy that empowers individuals to reclaim their lives and move toward healing. If you or someone you love is struggling, we encourage you to take the first step by reaching out to our experienced team of eating disorder therapists in Bethesda. Our center is committed to providing the best possible care, offering eating disorder treatment in Bethesda, Maryland that’s tailored to your unique needs. Let us help you begin the journey toward healing today. Contact The Eating Disorder Center today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our services. Visit our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com to learn more about how we can support you in your recovery. Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom. 🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, NY, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy 🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
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The Eating Disorder CenterWe are a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center in Rockville, Maryland.
We also provide eating disorder recovery coaching to people worldwide via Zoom. Click here to book your free 15 minute phone consultation! Phone: 301-246-6856 Email: [email protected] Archives
May 2025
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