Resources for Treatment For Medical Students With Eating Disorders

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

It is clear that eating disorders do not discriminate, and any type of individual can be susceptible to developing one of these psychiatric illnesses. Regardless of gender, race, occupation, culture, or socioeconomic status, eating disorders can result under the combination of many different factors.

It is also important to note that both biological and environmental stressors, including genetics, neurobiology, psychosocial factors and more, influence eating disorders. A person who is biologically predisposed to having an eating disorder may be triggered by environmental conditions, such as emotional or psychological stress and/or trauma.

Medical Students Thriving Under Difficult Circumstances

While there is no link to certain occupations that trigger the development of eating disorders, it is important to consider how a person’s environment might be conducive to the progression of these diseases. Individuals who choose to enroll in medical school face a grueling and demanding road towards becoming a physician.

Many medical students are overburdened with a high stress load that includes a demanding school/clinical load, increased amount of debt, and pressure towards succeeding in a rigorous field.

Many medical students easily put in hours that are over what is considered a full time job, towards studying, school work, lecture hours, clinical hours and more. It is not uncommon for a medical student to also have a part time job in addition to their schooling in order to help offset costs for living expenses, tuition, and more.

The pressure of maintaining this type of schedule can become overwhelming and exhausting. For the medical student who is biologically predisposed to having an eating disorder, the stress, anxiety, and pressures experienced can trigger the development of these diseases, particularly with lacking coping skills.

Knowing When To Seek Out Help and Treatment

Academic settings and institutions have resources available for students who may be struggling with a mental illness, such as an eating disorder. Learning about the resources available and connecting with help as early as possible can make all the difference for a student who may be dealing with the onset of an eating disorder.

This may include counseling, nutrition, and/or medical interventions. Screening resources may help a medical student better identify the type of eating disorder they may have and severity of the disorder, which can improve treatment interventions.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are some stressors unique to medical students?

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About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 18, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com