Are eating disorders a bad topic for adversity secondary?

[deleted916225]

I had anorexia all throughout high school and it had a huge impact on how I developed as a person - it has given me insight into suffering and has helped me gain understanding and empathy for others, so I was thinking of writing about my experiences and lessons learned for the adversity secondary essay. But I've heard that med schools try to stay clear from mental health issues and that those who bring it up as part of their application have a lower chance of acceptance. Is this true?
Thank you in advance!

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[Goro]

Stay clear of it

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I had anorexia all throughout high school and it had a huge impact on how I developed as a person - it has given me insight into suffering and has helped me gain understanding and empathy for others, so I was thinking of writing about my experiences and lessons learned for the adversity secondary essay. But I've heard that med schools try to stay clear from mental health issues and that those who bring it up as part of their application have a lower chance of acceptance. Is this true?
Thank you in advance!

The thought process behind it all is that the stressors and pressures (and loss of control of one's own life) of medical school are going to be larger than those you experienced in high school and makes people concerned that these issues will re-manifest themselves. I don't know if it is "fair" or appropriate or not (certainly wouldn't have the same conversation about a student with ulcerative colitis or cancer) but-as is often said round these parts-it is a seller's market.

Totally separate from this-please please make sure to develop a strong support system wherever you end up. There is a reason anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. It is easy to hide in plain sight until things really hit the fan.

 

[ciestar]

You should really avoid talking about your own mental health. I now know first hand why adcoms are weary of accepting people with a history of mental illness. Med school can bring you to your breaking point. Or as Goro says, it is a furnace.

 

[MedicalDoge]

Agree with everyone above

 

[deleted916225]

Thank you all for your input! I won't mention it then. I don't like the stigma around mental health issues, but it's understandable that med schools want people who are mentally and physically dependable.

 

[Med Ed]

Thank you all for your input! I won't mention it then. I don't like the stigma around mental health issues, but it's understandable that med schools want people who are mentally and physically dependable.

FYI, eating disorders have an astonishingly high rate of recurrence during medical school. Be prepared.

 

[Goro]

Thank you all for your input! I won't mention it then. I don't like the stigma around mental health issues, but it's understandable that med schools want people who are mentally and physically dependable.

As the wise Med Ed has mentioned, med school is a furnace, and I've seen it break even healthy people. It's the #1 reason we lose students to LOA, dismissal or withdrawal.

 

[cowell]

OP - As everyone has said already, def don't mention - even though having gone through an unhealthy time does not automatically equal an unhealthy person, adcoms can't guess the distinction for each applicant who brings this stuff up

Sorry if this question is off track but OP's thread made me wonder -- obviously it may be problematic during the admissions process, but AFTER admission, as a med student could any indicators of past depression (that's actually far in the past) work against you?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

OP - As everyone has said already, def don't mention - even though having gone through an unhealthy time does not automatically equal an unhealthy person, adcoms can't guess the distinction for each applicant who brings this stuff up

Sorry if this question is off track but OP's thread made me wonder -- obviously it may be problematic during the admissions process, but AFTER admission, as a med student could any indicators of past depression (that's actually far in the past) work against you?

I think it is important to get involved early with the mental health personnel that are present at most (if not all) medical schools. Establishing a rapport, even if you feel healthy and well-adjusted (maybe specifically when you feel healthy and well-adjusted) will make it easier to admit to that person when you're having a tougher time or are having intrusive thoughts. Whether or not you want to tell your administration is a mixed bag. They likely will reach out earlier than they would to other students but also will be quicker on the trigger to recommend things like semester/year off.
If by indicators you mean self-harm scars or spots of baldness from trichotillomania, I would guess they'd be noticed and maybe talked about with your advisor-maybe they'd default to keeping a closer eye on you-but I doubt anything would be said. Now, in the surgery clerkship I can easily imagine an attending asking "where the heck did you get those?"

 

[cowell]

@OneTwoThreeFour

Thank you for the detailed reply! 🙂

When I say long ago, I mean like would be 6-7 years before matriculating, was super young but it hasn't been a problem since. Very very light SH scars leftover, nothing raised or noticeable even, but if the lighting was right and someone paid attention to it they'd know which has been a lingering worry for any future workplace

 

[Goro]

OP - As everyone has said already, def don't mention - even though having gone through an unhealthy time does not automatically equal an unhealthy person, adcoms can't guess the distinction for each applicant who brings this stuff up

Sorry if this question is off track but OP's thread made me wonder -- obviously it may be problematic during the admissions process, but AFTER admission, as a med student could any indicators of past depression (that's actually far in the past) work against you?

Once we admit you, It's our responsibility to get you to graduate.

 

[cowell]

Once we admit you, It's our responsibility to get you to graduate.

Do you think, for lack of a better term, staff or anyone are "weird" about it/would treat you differently? I know it's a poor question bc individuals can't really be generalized but have you run into this type of situation/have insight on how it's seen in med schools?

 

[Goro]

Do you think, for lack of a better term, staff or anyone are "weird" about it/would treat you differently? I know it's a poor question bc individuals can't really be generalized but have you run into this type of situation/have insight on how it's seen in med schools?

It only becomes an issue if it causes academic or professionalism issues.