Working As a Doctor Raises the Risk of Eating Disorders

Unpleasant, and sometimes even deadly, consequences of eating disorders are experienced by almost every tenth person in the world.

The profession of a doctor is not only challenging but also a separate risk factor for mental and physical illnesses, including eating disorders (ED). This is reported by Medscape.

About Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders have excessive and often distorted perceptions of their weight or body shape. Thoughts revolve around an imaginary ideal, prompting them to engage in inadequate eating habits. It’s either undereating or overeating, driven by psychological issues and stress.

There are three types of such disorders identified:

  1. Nervous Anorexia: Individuals focus on weight loss using extreme diets, fasting, or excessive physical exercise.
  2. Binge Eating: Regular consumption of an extraordinarily large amount of food in one sitting. Lack or absence of a sense of satiety.
  3. Nervous Bulimia: Binge eating followed by induced vomiting, laxative use, excessive exercise, or fasting to avoid weight gain.

Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the world’s population. Meanwhile, a global review and meta-analysis in 2019 showed: the “overall prevalence of EDs’ risk among medical students was 10.4%.” In 2022, the estimate increased to 17.35%.

Causes of Eating Disorders

Similar to many mental health issues, ED do not have a single cause. Researchers believe they stem from a complex interplay of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. However, certain personality traits typically associated with eating disorders are often characteristic of successful doctors.

Back in 2014, Claire Gerada, FRCGP, an advocate for the physician well-being, made a prediction at the International Healthcare Conference.

We have seen a massive increase in eating disorders [among doctors]. I’m not sure anybody is quite aware of the tsunami of eating disorders.

Dr. Clare Gerada, the President of the UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners

Her statement was based on research showing an increasing number of young doctors seeking treatment for mental issues, including ED. The data were recorded in the NHS Practitioner Health program, a mental health service in the United Kingdom established by Gerada in 2008.

Eating Disorders Begin in Medical Schools

Dr. Elizabeth MacNaught, MD and General Practitioner, encountered ED at the age of 14 and shared her experience in the 2020 memoir, “Life Hurts: A Doctor’s Personal Journey through Anorexia.

I think medicine in general attracts people who often share similar characteristics to those who struggle with EDs – high-achieving, hardworking perfectionists who put a lot of pressure on themselves. The pressure of medical school can perpetuate an eating disorder if that’s something that you’re struggling with.

Dr. Elizabeth MacNaught

According to Dr. Leslie Williams, a Doctor of Medicine and family medicine practitioner in Phoenix, Arizona, high drive and self-criticism can make you a very successful doctor but may also potentially influence body perception and lead to a stricter approach to eating.

Medical students are taught to consider weight as a key indicator of health. Numerous studies prove that weight stigma not only exists in healthcare but also intensifies over time, negatively impacting the mental and physical health of patients.

For so long, we believed that health presents itself within these confines on a BMI chart and anything outside of that is unhealthy and must be fixed. I can say from having gone through medical education, having that continual messaging does make someone feel that if I myself am not within those confines, then I need to do something to fix that immediately if I’m going to continue to care for patients.

Dr. Leslie Williams

Williams was surprised that medical training does not include lectures on ED, considering that anorexia is the second leading cause of mortality among all mental disorders after opioid-related disorders.

Doctors Concealing Mental Health Issues

Clara Anderson, MD (pseudonym), has no intention of confessing to her colleagues in the emergency department that she has an eating disorder.

There is still a lot of misunderstanding about mental health, and I never want people to doubt my ability to care for people. There’s so much stigma around eating disorders, and I also feel like once it’s out there, I can’t take it back, and I don’t want to feel like people are watching me.

Dr. Clara Anderson

Anderson has had eating issues since the age of 14 and received treatment. However, she states that numerous treatment programs and inpatient stays did more harm than good. As a result, she now sees an Eating Disorder specialist, whom she pays out of her own pocket.

Experts Urge No Shame

Melissa Klein, PhD, a clinical psychologist specializing in EDs and clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience working in an inpatient ED department at New York-Presbyterian University, believes that doctors have legitimate concerns about disclosing their issues. Klein suggests that doctors can simply acknowledge they need help but continue to fulfill their duties.

When people are under stress or when they feel like there are things in their life that maybe they can’t control, sometimes turning to an eating disorder is a way to cope. In that sense, the stress on medical professionals is something that could lead to eating disorder behaviors.

Dr. Melissa Klein

Klein’s message to healthcare professionals is not to be ashamed because dealing with this “monster that grips the mind” is challenging independently. Therefore, seeking help is worthwhile, especially if your specialty involves constant stress.

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