College student having social issues.

[stringbean347]

I am currently a 3rd year working towards my bachelor degree. From getting sick I am on sophomore standing still. I delayed degree is something I have accepted and understand it's just going to take some time. I have been on a roller coaster physically and emotionally with my Crohn's and am a moderate to severe-er which has become almost a nightmare. I know my condition could be a lot worse and I feel so blessed that it isn't to that point but I often catch myself wanting it to drift to severe. I am so tired of living the "half life" of feeling ok to being taken out. Anyways I am rambling, the real reason I wanted to post is to see if anyone has advice on dealing with roommates and social situations with CD adjustments and new treatments. I currently live with 5 other girls sharing a bathroom with one other girl. I have talked to all of them about my condition and they are as support as they can be with having no experience of really understanding a chronic illness. I get a lot of half glazed eyes when I try to go more in-depth, which is fine and I don't expect any more than that. The thing that is the hardest though is that they are your average 20 year old girls who like to party, are insecure about their body image, and are a little self absorbed. I was diagnosed my freshman year of college and have since been having to make major life changes. I am on a very strict diet of no gluten, corn, milk, alcohol, highly acidic foods, processed or preservatives. Not drinking at this age apparently is a huge social outcasting move. I find myself feeling left out even though I know I am not missing out on anything. I am having a hard time relating to my friends here and my friends at home. I was hesitant about joining this forum because I was nervous and am still having issues accepting CD. I want to live by myself next quarter and really be able to cook and take care of my CD without judgement or pressures. Any advice/ anyone else out there feeling alone?

 

[KWalker]

Welcome from another student! I don't live on residence or in a student house but I can definitely relate to the drinking part of it. I'm 22 and was never really into partying and people react like it's the plague or something. Being a student in University who doesn't drink is just NOT normal to some people I guess. I too have a hard time finding friends because like you said it seems like the only thing people want to do is party these days, and that's not me.

I wish I had some advice to give but unfortunately I don't because I go through the same thing but just hang in there and focus on school. Those people you live with and want to party all the time probably won't be in your life when you're done school anyways so don't waste your time trying to please them. You'll find some friends who have the same interests as yourself

 

[katiesue1506]

I am 24 and graduated more than 2 years ago (also diagnosed freshman year). I never did the party scene. Lost a lot of friends because I didn't drink, but then again I also graduated cum laude and held down a part time job while dealing with crohn's and school full time. Half the friends I had who DIDN'T have jobs or a chronic disease couldn't even pass their classes because of drinking and partying.

All in all I don't regret anything. I stayed my first year in the dorms, second year with my boyfriend and a friend, and the last two years I just lived with my boyfriend in our own apartment (now my husband)

 

[Dunbar]

I think all of us have or have had the social anxiety, it's part of the journey. With or without Crohns. Find yourself, find your happy place and the rest will follow. I went thru a life changer many years before Crohns so have learned that the people in your life who really matter are there or they will miraculously appear as you need them...serendipity.

 

[lindbergh]

Hi stringbean347,
I am a sophomore in college and I was just diagnosed this past summer with Crohn's, however I have had it 2 years prior to my diagnosis. During my freshman year I was in the exact same boat! I never went out and I made no friends. I felt very alone since everyone I knew went out and partied and drank and since I always needed a bathroom I was too afraid to go out with them. I made some friends that would just have movie nights and stay in and hang out rather than going out and being crazy. What you need to do is find the people who are supportive and accept you for you and the issues you have. I also focused on my studies and kept my grades up, after all we are paying thousands of dollars for this degree. I know it may not sound like the most fun but just relaxing and hanging out with people after 5 days of classes helps keep the stress down and us crohnies need to keep our stress down. I don't know if you are taking any medications but I am taking Asacol and am just finishing up a dose of prednisone for a flare and I feel 100% better and back to my normal self after just 6 months on this medication. So if you currently aren't taking any medication you should talk to your doctor about maybe trying Asacol, it has drastically changed my life and I even go out with people now, I'm not as held back by my crohn's as I was last year! I hope this helps and keep up the good work in school, it will pay off!