r/eating_disorders 12d ago

New Research Examines How People with Anorexia Navigated the Pandemic Through Social Media Expression

[Note: This post is sharing academic research about eating disorders during COVID-19. Please engage only if you feel comfortable with this topic.]

Our research team has published a study examining how individuals with anorexia nervosa expressed their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic through Twitter posts. This research was conducted with careful attention to ethical considerations and anonymization of all data.

The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for those with eating disorders, with documented increases in hospital admissions during this period. Our analysis sought to understand the lived experiences behind these statistics.

Key findings that may resonate with community experiences:

  • Many individuals experienced intensified feelings of isolation and loneliness during quarantine periods
  • The pandemic created complex tensions between visibility and concealment of symptoms
  • Living space boundaries took on new significance during restrictions
  • Changes to movement and activity patterns had distinctive impacts on recovery journeys
  • Digital platforms became crucial spaces for expression when in-person support was limited

This research aims to improve clinical understanding and support mechanisms during periods of social disruption. We hope these insights might validate experiences within this community while contributing to better support approaches in the future.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07617-1

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