Social isolation and social withdrawal are symptoms of anorexia and bulimia. The psychological effects of eating disorders on relationships are profound. Both bulimia and anorexia have an especially serious impacts on social and familial relationships.Isolation from friends and peers can be the result of a poor body image, a sense of inferiority or an attempt to keep feelings of hurt and anger buried.

    People with anorexia and other eating disorders often have a strong desire to be accepted and liked by everyone.If they're confronted about their feelings of fear or rage, it causes a great deal of inner turmoil.The anorexic may lie about how they feel because they will do almost anything to maintain approval and acceptance, and don't want to rock the boat.  In fact, eating disorders statistics show that people with eating disorders generally see no place for emotions such as fear, betrayal or rage in interpersonal relationships. The intense fear of being ridiculed or put down for being assertive will usually cause an anorexic/bulimic to behave in compassionate and supportive ways even with those who have hurt them deeply.