Social Media Contributed to My Eating Disorder



Summer in Minnesota is time that is well spent. Not one second of daylight is wasted. The boundary waters are explored, cabins are filled with laughter, and lakes are full of activity. But none of those things matter to an eating disorder. 

The first summer with my eating disorder was challenging. Challenging might even be an understatement. All I cared about was looking good in a summer wardrobe. Summertime can be a challenging time of the year for eating disorders. With swimsuits as attire and social media posts at a high, it can be difficult to be comfortable in your own body. 

I know for myself that social media is a huge trigger for my eating disorder and my body dysmorphia- especially during the summer months. I would suggest to anyone who is struggling with an eating disorder to delete your accounts or limit your time on social media platforms.

The summer wardrobe can be a challenging trigger for an eating disorder. When temperatures rise, we naturally want to wear tank tops, swimsuits, and shorts. But wearing that type of clothing can be hard for a person with an eating disorder. My tip would be to wear what you’re comfortable in and to not let anyone influence your outfit choices. 

Recovery is a long road and it can be challenging at times. During the summer it can be hard to remember that recovery is possible. My last tip would be to remember the progress that you have made and remember your recovery goals. 

I always say to myself “be appreciative of what your body CAN do rather than what it should do”. 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well”. Psalms 139: 13-14

Hope Van Lannen who resides in Fridley, Minnesota was diagnosed with anorexia and body dysmorphia in 2018. Living an active lifestyle is what she loves to do. Hope plays in a volleyball league and loves taking her dog on walks. She worked for The Emily Program which is a company that specializes in eating disorders. It is based out of Minnesota and serves states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Minnesota. Hope gained a lot of knowledge in eating disorders during her time with The Emily Program. 

Raising awareness for eating disorders is something that she is passionate about because she struggled with an eating disorder herself and she knows how difficult it can be to recover from one. Hope believes that recovery is possible for anyone and the possibilities are endless. Hope’s philosophy is, “be appreciative of what your body can do, rather than what it should do”.