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Pre-Med Majors and Eating Disorders
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
The academic component of college alone presents with many unique challenges, especially as a student is attempting to figure out their groove and find the areas they are passionate about studying and pursuing. College students have countless options and academic studies they can choose to major in, from language arts to music to history and sciences. A common course of study for students pursuing the route of becoming a medical doctor is the “pre-med” route, which usually involves a major in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry.
High Demands
The demands of these academic course loads can be extremely intense, along with the pressure to obtain nearly perfect grades and build an outstanding curriculum vitae. For the college student wishing to become a medical doctor, it is known that the competition is fierce, and gaining admittance into medical school means having a high grade point average and being involved in multiple other activities, such as research, volunteer work, and more. This pathway is not for the fainthearted, and the demands and pressures that may be faced along the way can be overwhelming.
For the college student who may be susceptible to developing an eating disorder, the stress that comes with being a pre-med major can be triggering. While eating disorders are complex psychiatric illnesses that are influenced by a multitude of factors, including biological components, environmental triggers experienced through anxiety, stress, and trauma, could trigger development. The emphasis on perfection and achievement could potentially trigger the student who already has characteristics and personality traits likened to eating disordered behaviors.
If you are a pre-med major and have found yourself struggling with eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, know that you are not alone in this journey. There are a multitude of resources at your disposal that can help support you through any challenges that you might be facing. Early intervention and recognition of a potential eating disorder can help prevent more serious consequences from occurring. Talk to someone you trust about your struggles and consider working with your counselor to figure out what might be the best approach for you during school.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What challenges do you think pre-med majors face during college? How do you think this increased pressure can influence susceptibility to an eating disorder?
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 a 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 August 28, 2015. Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
