Mentioning eating disorder in secondary?

[opheliamg]

Hi guys, I've read some threads on this topic but none seem to apply to my situation directly. At the beginning of high school I had an eating disorder, I've been recovered for years now (over 6) and during university never relapsed regardless of stress over school etc. I want to talk about it in my secondaries for the prompts dealing with challenges, but I saw on some other threads that might not be a good idea in case adcoms think you're "unstable" or might drop out etc etc. However in the threads I read this in it applied to students who had an ED in university and were still kind of recovering, whereas mine was in high school and I've been recovered for quite a while now. Thoughts?

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[Goro]

A long stretch of academic excellence will allay any Adcom worries.

I've interviewed a fair number of candidates with history of eating disorders. We don't have any bias against them and they also have insight into mental health issues which is valuable.

 

[M&L]

Current student, but mental health specialist from before, - history of eating disorders (that someone successfully overcame) is usually perceived as a victory over circumstances, and overall very positive. You should definitely be proud of yourself! That shows a lot of insight and character, and will help you be a more compassionate doctor. I really do not see how this would be a negative if you write it up well. Good luck

 

[LizzyM]

I'd be a bit more reluctant to disclose this condition. I would be particularly concerned about the association with perfectionism. Keep your health history private. Once the bell is rung, you can't un-ring it.

 

[<L>]

I'd be a bit more reluctant to disclose this condition. I would be particularly concerned about the association with perfectionism. Keep your health history private. Once the bell is rung, you can't un-ring it.

This. Not worth the risk.

 

[opheliamg]

I'd be a bit more reluctant to disclose this condition. I would be particularly concerned about the association with perfectionism. Keep your health history private. Once the bell is rung, you can't un-ring it.

I was perusing threads on this topic further and found something you said to a student in a similar situation in 2012:
"the adcom will need to know that the condition is in remission or controlled with treatment and not likely to cause an interruption of one's med school career. If you can offer that assurance, you should be fine."
Why has your opinion changed since then? Have you seen instances of applicants being rejected due to EDs?

 

[LizzyM]

I was perusing threads on this topic further and found something you said to a student in a similar situation in 2012:
"the adcom will need to know that the condition is in remission or controlled with treatment and not likely to cause an interruption of one's med school career. If you can offer that assurance, you should be fine."
Why has your opinion changed since then? Have you seen instances of applicants being rejected due to EDs?

I have not seen applicants being rejected becuase of eating disorders but if they were, I would never know becuase it is likely that something else would be given as the reason.

In a rationale world, my 2012 statement would stand but if there is any doubt, you'll get rejected for something that's less than stellar in your application and if everything is perfect, then perfectionism will be mentioned as a bad thing.

Better to keep in to yourself than need to prove that your chronic condition is in remission and unlikely to recur. it is very hard to offer that assurance, isn't it?

 

[deleted804295]

I'd never disclose mental health history.