college application essay eating disorder

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Eating Disorders, Essay Example

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Introduction

Eating disorders affect men and women of all ages, although adolescents tend to be the age group that is more susceptible. This is because, as their bodies are changing, they may feel more pressure by society as well as peer groups to look attractive and fit in (Segal et al). Types of eating disorders include Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating, which can also be related to the first two. The reasons behind Eating Disorder usually stem from a reaction to low self-esteem and a negative means of coping with life and stress (Something Fishy).  Eating disorders are also often associated with an underlying psychological disorder, which may be the reason behind the eating disorder or which may develop from the Eating Disorder itself. Mental health disorders that are often associated with Eating Disorder include Anxiety, Depression, Multiple Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, BiPolar, BiPolar II, Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder and Dissociative Disorder. The longer a person suffers from ED, the more probable that they will be dealing with another mental illness, most likely Anxiety or Depression (Something Fishy). The eventual outcome of Eating Disorder can be deadly. “Some eating disorders are associated with a 10-15% mortality rate and a 20-25% suicide rate. Sometimes, anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating may be perceived as slow suicide (Carruthers).” In order to prevent the deadly consequences of Eating Disorder and to prevent it from becoming more pervasive in society, it is necessary to recognize the correct treatment method for this disease.  Traditional treatments have focused on providing risk information to raise awareness of the consequences of Eating Disorder (Lobera et al 263). However, since Eating Disorder is a mental illness, a more effective treatment is one that offers psychological evaluation, counseling and treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is emerging as a more robust and effective method that can be used not only to treat Eating Disorder but the associated mental illnesses that may accompany it.

The Problem

Eating disorder is pervasive in society and can have deadly consequences on those that suffer from it. Many time Eating Disorder goes undetected by family members and friends because those suffering will go to great lengths to hide their problem. However, there are some signs and symptoms that can be clues that a person is suffering from some sort of eating disorder. According to Segal, these signs can include:

• Restricting Food or Dieting: A change in eating habits that includes restricting food or excessive dieting. The person my frequently miss meals or not eat, complaining of an upset stomach or that they are not hungry. A use of diet pills or illegal drugs may also be noticed.
• Bingeing: Sufferers may binge eat in secret, which can be hard to detect since they will usually do it late at night or in a private place. Signs of potential bingeing are empty food packages and wrappers and hidden stashes of high calorie junk food or desserts.
• Purging: Those who suffer from bulimia will force themselves to throw up after meals to rid their body of added calories. A sign that this is occurring is when a person makes a trip to the bathroom right after eating on a regular basis, possible running water or a fan to hide the sound of their vomiting. They may also use perfume, mouthwash or breath mints regularly to disguise the smell. In addition to vomiting, laxatives or diuretics may also be used to flush unwanted calories from the body.
• Distorted body image and altered appearance: People suffering from Eating Disorder often have a very distorted image of their own body. While they may appear thin to others, they may view themselves as fat and attempt to hide their body under loose clothing. They will also have an obsessive preoccupation with their weight, and complain of being fat even when it is obvious to others that this is not the case.

There are several possible side effects from Eating Disorders, both physical and psychological. Physical damage can be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the eating disorder and the length of time the person has been suffering from it.  Psychological consequences can be the development of a mental illness, especially depression and anxiety. Some sufferers of Eating Disorder will also develop a coping mechanism such as harming themselves, through cutting, self-mutilation or self-inflicted violence, or SIV (Something Fishy).

Physical consequences of Eating Disorders depend on the type of eating disorder that the person has. Anorexia nervosa can lead to a slow heart rate and low blood pressure, putting the sufferer at risk for heart failure and permanent heart damage. Malnutrition can lead to osteoporosis and dry, brittle bones. Other common complications include kidney damage due to dehydration, overall weakness, hair loss and dry skin. Bulimia nervosa, where the person constantly purges through vomiting, can have similar consequences as Anorexia but with added complications and damage to the esophagus and gastric cavity due to the frequent vomiting. In addition, tooth decay can occur because of damage caused by gastric juices. If the person also uses laxatives to purge, irregular bowel movements and constipation can occur. Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis can also common negative heath effects (National Eating Disorders Association).  If the Eating Disorder goes on for a prolonged time period, death is also a possible affect, which is why it is important to seek treatment for the individual as soon as it is determined that they are suffering from an Eating Disorder.

Once it is recognized that a loved one may be suffering from an Eating Disorder, the next step is coming up with an effective intervention in time to prevent any lasting physical damage or death. The most effective treatment to date is Cognitive-behavioral therapy, an active form of counseling that can be done in either a group or private setting (Curtis). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to help correct poor eating habits and prevent relapse as well as change the way the individual thinks about food, eating and their body image (Curtis).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for eating disorders, but of course this depends on both the counselor administrating the therapy and the attitude of the person receiving it.  According to Fairburn (3), while patients with eating disorders “have a reputation for being difficult to treat, the great majority can be helped and many, if not most, can make a full and lasting recovery.” In the study conducted by Lobera et al, it was determined that students that took part in group cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions showed a reduced dissatisfaction with their body and a reduction in their drive to thinness. Self esteem was also improved during the group therapy sessions and eating habits were significantly improved.

“The overall effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy can depend on the duration of the sessions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered effective for the treatment of eating disorders. But because eating disorder behaviors can endure for a long period of time, ongoing psychological treatment is usually required for at least a year and may be needed for several years (Curtis).”

  Alternative solutions

Traditional treatments for Eating Disorders rely on educating potential sufferers, especially school aged children, of the potential damage, both psychological and physical, that can be caused by the various eating disorders .

“ Research conducted to date into the primary prevention of eating disorders (ED) has mainly considered the provision of information regarding risk factors. Consequently, there is a need to develop new methods that go a step further, promoting a change in attitudes and behavior in the  target population (Lobera et al).”

The current research has not shown that passive techniques, such as providing information, reduces the prevalence of eating disorders or improves the condition in existing patients. While education about eating disorders, the signs and symptoms and the potential health affects, is an important part of providing information to both the those that may know someone who is suffering from an eating disorder and those that are suffering from one, it is not an effective treatment by itself. It must be integrated with a deeper level of therapy that helps to improve the self-esteem and psychological issues from which the eating disorder stems.

Hospitalization has also been a treatment for those suffering from an eating disorder, especially when a complication, such as kidney failure or extreme weakness, occurs. However, treating the symptom of the eating disorder will not treat the underlying problem. Hospitalization can effectively treat the symptom only when it is combined with a psychological therapy that treats the underlying psychological problem that is causing the physical health problem.

Effectively treating eating disorders is possible using cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, the sooner a person who is suffering from an eating disorder begins treatment the more effective the treatment is likely to be. The longer a person suffers from an eating disorder, the more problems that may arise because of it, both physically and psychologically. While the deeper underlying issue may differ from patient to patient, it must be addressed in order for an eating disorder treatment to be effective. If not, the eating disorder is likely to continue. By becoming better educated about the underlying mental health issues that are typically the cause of eating disorder, both family members and friends of loved ones suffering from eating disorders and the sufferers themselves can take the steps necessary to overcome Eating Disorder and begin the road to recovery.

Works Cited

“Associated Mental Health Conditions and Addictions.” Something Fishy, 2010. Web. 19 November2010.

Carruthers, Martyn. Who Has Eating Disorders?   Soulwork Solutions, 2010. Web. 19 November 2010.

Curtis, Jeanette. “Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders.” WebMD (September 16, 2009). Web. 19 November 2010.

Fairburn, Christopher G. Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Eating Disorders. New York: The Guilford Press, 2008. Print.  

“Health Consequences of Eating Disorders” National Eating Disorders Association (2005). Web. 21 November 2010.

Lobera, I.J., Lozano, P.L., Rios, P.B., Candau, J.R., Villar y Lebreros, Gregorio Sanchez, Millan, M.T.M., Gonzalez, M.T.M., Martin, L.A., Villalobos, I.J. and Sanchez, N.V. “Traditional and New Strategies in the Primary Prevention of Eating Disorders: A Comparative Study in Spanish Adolescents.” International Journal of General Medicine 3  (October 5, 2010): 263-272. Dovepress.Web. 19 November 2010.

Segal, Jeanne, Smith, Melinda, Barston, Suzanne. Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder: Advice for Parents, Family Members and Friends , 2010. Web. 19 November 2010.

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How to Write a College Essay About Having an Eating Disorder

If you’re thinking about writing your college essay about having an eating disorder, you probably asked yourself if that’s too cringy.

Here’s the short answer…

Yes, you can write your college essay about having an eating disorder. In fact, we’ve had multiple students write about both binge eating and anorexia successfully. These students were accepted into perfectly great T-25 schools .

Controversial topics like eating disorders can be risky. But, where most students are mistaken is in thinking they can find a risk-free topic. Most if not all topics carry some risk in them. If you judge any topic at face value, they are to some degree going to carry a level of “cringe.”

• College essay about volunteering: they might think we look down on the disadvantaged
• College essay about running a chess club: too cliche
• College essay about sports: even more cliche
• College essay about family: not profound or impressive enough
• College essay about a hobby: too diverted from your major

Notice that these criticisms don’t actually hold water. They “could” be true; but, the quality of the essay is really in actually looking at the essay itself.

A successful college essay about having an eating disorder consists of 3 things: how you overcame your eating disorder, the growth you’ve made since then, and how said growth can be applied to your college experience.

In fact, we’ve actually created guides on how to write about unconventional, cliche, or unusual topics below!

Guides by PenningPapers on how to write your college essay about…

• Trading and Stocks
• Being Asian
• Divorced Parents
• Video Games
• Coming Out as LGBT
• Diversity as a White Male

Long story short: you can write your college essay about practically anything, including your eating disorder. Don’t change the topic. Change how you write it.

Let’s cover how to do exactly that below!

Table of Contents

• Be Articulate About Your Emotions.
• Show How You’ve Improved and Grown.
• Think Deeply About the Simple Things.
• Be Careful: This Isn’t the Time to Trauma Dump.
• Get a Second Pair of Eyes (Especially for Difficult Topics.)

Example College Essay About Having an Eating Disorder.

Professional College Application Help.

Contact us. we'll get to you within 24 hours. , how to write your college essay about your eating disorder (ed).

1. Be Articulate About Your Emotions.

Most students don’t know how to explain what they’re really feeling. Often, eating disorders come with a whole host of emotions. But, feeling them and articulating them are completely different things.

For instance, many feel frustrated. Others feel unheard.

But, there are many nuances that exist within these emotions. Remember that it’s the nuanced emotions that often carry the best content.

Here’s an example.

You may notice that you feel a lot of shame as someone with an eating disorder. But, you also want to “just fix it” by using positive affirmations. You try to be happy and content with yourself by complimenting yourself. That way, you don’t need to destroy your body to feel confident. But, pride is not the opposite of shame. It’s the source!

This nuanced approach to emotions can help admissions officers see the complexity of your character. It shows you’re not one-dimensional.

Don’t know how to explain these emotions? No problem! Refer to this emotion wheel to better help you!

2. Show How You’ve Improved and Grown.

It’s not about where you start in life. It’s about the work you put in to develop as a person.

Your readers understand their applicants come from all walks of life. Some people come from troubled households with insecure financial situations. Others suffered years of bullying with lasting impacts. It’s rather common for students to have struggled through some level of mental health struggles.

And, yes. That includes eating disorders.

But, harken back to our previous statement: “It’s not about where you start in life.”

The key to writing a solid college essay about having an eating disorder is to show your development and growth.

This doesn’t mean you need to be perfectly stable in life with the best grades, wonderful relationships, and wisdom beyond your years. You’re human; and, humans seldom make progress that fast.

Instead, consider writing about both the hard and soft skills that you’ve gained.

Let’s say you regained a positive relationship with food. That’s a hard skill. A subtler yet equally effective topic would be the confidence you’ve gained —especially in overcoming your self-defeating beliefs that you can change. This is your soft skill.

Soft skills show a deeper level of analysis. People who overcome eating disorders are often seen as “fixing” the “weird eating stuff” like binge eating or purging. But, there’s a lot —yes, a lot— of nuanced details outsiders miss. We don’t hear about how overcoming food addiction means letting go of the last light of our lives. Or, the absolutely profound reality shattering that occurs when we discover the depths of self-hate behind our self-starvation.

These are crucial for writing a profound college essay that isn’t banal.

Speaking of writing about the soft skills you gained, let’s get to the next point: thinking deeply about the simple things.

3. Think Deeply About the Simple Things.

There’s a common misconception: there’s no value in the simple things because they’re inconspicuous.

But, the simple details carry a lot of value. Look at your college essay about having an eating disorder. Notice your experience has random details that often don’t seem all that important.

It’s often these exact small details that carry subtle nuances, themes, motifs, and lessons to share with admissions officers.

Okay, here’s an example.

“I never quite liked my uncle. Just kidding. I loved him and my family dearly. After all, he and everyone means well. Our family came from a history of Evangelic Christain do-gooders who loved God —and their trucks. In short, we were a hillbilly family, I suppose. Yet, there’s something about how do-good that can be quite suffocating. It sounds absoutely bizzare, right? I know: it sounds bizarre even to myself as I write this. Nonetheless, I don’t wish to pen this with the intention of being inconsiderate of my family’s overwhelming generosity. Rather, I wish to articulate a fatal flaw in a problem that I myself have faced for the longest time. Eating Disorders. “Ahh, yeh; well, y’know yer mot’er should’ve gibben yeh a, uhh some extra of her pumpkin pie!” My uncle patted me. “I know: she tells me you ain’t eaten much or nothin’… and, it’s got me worried hmm?” I never quite liked how he comforted me, though. He always patted me on the back super hard in that way where it leaves a sharp sting on the surface of my skin for a while and I was sure —if I had eyes at the back of my head— I would see red forming on my back with an imprint visible enough for a fortune teller to predict his future. “Hmm, let’s see; your relationship with your daughter is strained because she understands you’re concerned about her. Nonetheless, she feels her eating disorder is aired out for everyone to see. No, wait. That’s just a mole.” Exceprt From an Example College Essay About Having an Eating Disorder. PenningPapers

In this excerpt, the applicant has demonstrated strong writing mastery and clever dark humor to visibly demonstrate her linguistic prowess. However, she also takes special care in explaining how her uncle pats her hard on the back.

This is a common patriarchal method seen amongst fathers, uncles, and other male relatives. And, it’s well-meaning; yet, it hints at an underlying difficulty that older men have in comforting their children.

And it’s not all that uncommon! Men have, for the history of humanity, seldom been taught emotional intelligence. In this case, the applicant masterfully depicts her conflictedness with her uncle’s comfort. She understands the sentiment, yet feels uncomfortable with having her dirty laundry aired out. And, she hints at her uncle’s hard-hitting back pats as too forceful for an otherwise necessary gentle compassion.

In short, think about the simple things! In this case, small things like back pats that feel a bit too comfortable are a great place to start! Maybe in your case, you had a bad experience passing by the mirror in your house. Or, you feel emotionally conflicted with how much your pet cat loves you and your body. It’s up to you!

4. Be Careful: This Isn’t the Time to Trauma Dump.

Note: this is not to say that you can’t cover details pertaining to your difficult situation. There are times when your story requires context to understand the full scope of the story.

Trauma dumping is characterized by choosingtherapy.com as…

“… an unhealthy behavior that tends to involve long, uninterrupted venting sessions about one or more stressful, painful, or traumatic experiences a person has had… In the short term, this kind of excessive venting can provide relief to the person sharing. However, eventually the effects of this behavior prove to be negative for everyone involved, including the person posting and those reading.” Choosing Therapy.com on Trauma Dumping

In the context of the college admissions process, most students will trauma dump by explaining too much about their traumatic issues. They dedicate far too many words in their already meager word count to the trauma itself. Then, there’s no space for inference or analysis.

Additionally, the limited words seldom do the experience justice.

In short: if you’re writing a college application essay that has traumatic or triggering events, don’t get too caught up on the traumatic event. Instead, use it as context to explain why you’re a suitable candidate for the university.

Additionally, if you do dedicate too many words to trauma dumping in your essay, you may risk showing red flags to admissions officers.

College admissions officers are not discriminatory based on histories; and, they’re generally understanding of struggles such as mental health disorders. However, it’s when these details pose a serious risk of danger to the campus that they may be less inclined to accept you.

So, if you’re trying to write your college essay about having an eating disorder, try to reduce the word count on all traumatic events. Keep it smushed to as few words as possible without removing any of the necessary context.

This way, you’ll spare much-needed word count as well as do your story justice without sugarcoating details vital to your personal story.

We know this can be hard. So, that brings us to the next point.

5. Get a Second Pair of Eyes (Especially for Difficult Topics.)

Let’s face it: writing your college essay about your eating disorder is not going to be a simple task.

However, it’s the difficult topics that often contain the most nuanced themes and interesting characteristics for admissions officers to draw from! Think of it as a high-effort high-reward strategy.

That’s why we don’t encourage students to give up on topics that seem hard to write. We still recommend students try difficult topics that normally won’t be easy to tackle since the hard ones often have the best results.

Now, if you’re still struggling to write your college essay about having an eating disorder, we would heavily recommend getting a second pair of eyes to look at it. This can be from a teacher, private instructor, college counselor, or private college admissions consultant.

But, here’s the catch: they need to have the expertise to navigate difficult topics like eating disorders, and they need the college admissions experience to consult on writing essays on these topics.

There are few college counselors who know how to navigate the admissions process meaningfully, let alone those who can tackle hard topics in essays without raising red flags. A good consultant would be able to help you write about hard topics in a creative way that shows your best talents whilst avoiding negative opinions.

That’s why we recommend working with us. If you need help writing your college essay about your eating disorder, consider scheduling a free consultation with us . We’ll get back to you within 24 hours. And, we’ve helped students writing their college essays about controversial topics get accepted into some of the best schools in the nation including NYU, Cornell, UPenn, Yale, Stanford, USC, UCB, and more!

The following essay was written in response to the Common App essay prompt 2. You can find the prompt below.

“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?” Common App Prompt 2 (2023-24)

Below is the essay itself. It was sent by one of our clients who was accepted into Vanderbilt University and had undergone multiple revisions through our college essay editing services.

If you’re interested in said services, consider scheduling a free consultation with us to get a custom quote!

“Possessed by an affinity for fancy lights and pretty colors, I didn’t find it too hard to make my way into one of many sanctimonious gentrified LV stores lining the San Fransisco walkway; being a middle-class… human being, for lack of a derogatory “wealthy people” word, it didn’t take long for me to get not only ignored by the sales associate but shot nasty looks —yes, nasty!— for asking for help with a pair of white shoes. It was one of those, “Oh, fine… I suppose I’m paid “enough” to really help you; but, don’t get your hopes up, your kind don’t belong in a store like this” kinds-of-looks that, as an aspiring entrepreneur and consumer-psych nerd, was really easy to see through: if you make lower-income customers feel insignificant, they’ll overcompensate by buying more expensive items to “prove you wrong.” Just, y’know, I can’t really explain all that in a short interaction; I just wanted to know about the white shoes speckled in pretty colors, to which the associate rolled her eyes, to which I retorted in my head, “What’re you mad at me for? I’m in the same boat as you —taking on a fake ivory-tower job in order to pay off the debt needed to afford the education of a “real” ivory tower job! But, there’s actually something subtler than the wealth discrimination that so constitutes San Fransisco’s charm. Beauty. Specifically, a particular kind of beauty. Spoiler alert: it’s skinny beauty. Oh, I know, we’re more open to all forms of beauty… right? We empower all bodies, indiscriminate of what others think of us! But, like the great Tywin Lannister once said: “Yeah, that’s what you want other people to think of you! And, I’ll be frank: I cared a lot about what other people thought of me. As someone who followed high fashion quite closely, I’ve seen the specter of heroin chic —geez, thanks CK and YSL!— loom over the fashion and beauty industry like a pale, white, emaciated ghost. And, an emaciated ghost I became! For as long as I could remember, I tried to emulate the look: slim leather jacket, skinny jeans, tight clothes that outlined my slim figure and jawline. The whole 9 yards. The less I accepted myself, the more the fashion industry accepted me. Suffice it to say, my relationship with food was not exactly the best. By the time I was actually diagnosed, I thought a lot about my relationship with my body, beauty, and food. One of the things people don’t talk about with eating disorders is the negotiations. Maybe I can still be healthy yet still look slim and pretty. Or, maybe I can still be ‘x’ whilst ‘y’. Insert whatsoever variable fits, and it probably suits the internal eating disorder experience. For me, I thought I could be “body positive” whilst also accepting modern fashion trends. Maybe they could exist in some hypothetically positive “agree-to-disagree” bubble. Wrong. After much rumination, I’ve come to accept this one conclusion: modern beauty expectations are unhealthy. Period. Full stop. It’s either follow modern beauty standards unhealthily or be healthy whilst rejecting modern beauty standards. I was greedy to believe I could satisfy unrealistic beauty expectations whilst being healthy. That prevented me from recovering from my eating disorder. I couldn’t let go of “fitting the standard” to be healthy. So, I’ve come to accept that I can’t satisfy everyone. I chose my health. Goodbye beauty standards. Nice knowing you… sorta? I have a bit of a chub now and am often adorned in hoodies and dad caps. But, here’s the thing. I’m okay with that! I’m okay with the fact that I can’t satisfy everyone. I won’t fit modern beauty standards without sacrificing my health, and vice versa. And, that’s okay. That’s the beauty of it. I don’t need to satisfy everyone (or, anyone!) I’m okay. It’s all okay.” Successful College Essay About Having an Eating Disorder (Common App Essay Prompt ) —Vanderbilt University, PenningPapers

If you’re still struggling to write a solid college essay about your eating disorder, don’t worry! It’s a hard topic; and, it takes time and effort to write. However, you don’t have to tackle difficult topics like this alone. We highly recommend getting help from us for professional college admissions essay consulting and editing by scheduling a free consultation . Our college advisors and consultants have had many years of experience getting students like you accepted into prestigious institutions like that of (recently) Brown, Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, U Mich, GT, UPenn, Duke, and many more!

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Common Application: Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are becoming more and more common in teenagers and even adults these days, on account of societys idea of the perfect body. The spread of this devastating mental disease has reached every corner of the world and affects millions of young men and women. The point of this essay is to explain the types of eating disorders there are, the effects of these eating disorders, the harsh effect that the media has on a young persons mind, and my personal battle with this disease that came, destroyed a lot of things, and never really left. There are many types of eating disorders, the most common eating disorders though are Anorexia-Nervosa and Bulimia-Nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is when a person is overwhelmed by the irrational fear of gaining weight, distorted body self-perception and they tend to restrict their diet to very small portions of food, if at all. This eating disorder is more commonly found in women but can also be found in men. Anorexia effects your mind in so many ways that many people claim to not know who they are anymore, they feel as if they’ve lost themselves in the disease and become obsessed with it. Anorexia is thought of as the “incurable disorder” because many people never completely recover from this disorder, they only learn how to manage it well, after many many years of rehabilitation and therapy. The obsession that comes with this disorder completely over takes the persons life, a scale becomes their worst enemy and food becomes a monster they are constantly fighting. Mentally, this disorder wears a person down, until they start developing other mental disorders such as depression or even schizophrenia. The mental effects that this disorder has is only the half of it, the effects it physically leaves are awful as well. Typically, a person who develops this disorder and lives with it for a long period of time with eventually become very weak and frail, their hair becomes thin and tends to fall out, they stop menstruating and because of this their bones will lose their density and be very easy to break. It’s also common for someone to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. There is nothing beautiful about this disease, there is nothing good about this obsession and in the end, the person is never happy with their “progress” anyway. Eventually they will wither away to nothing simply because they never think they’re thin enough. (nimh.nih.gov) The other common eating disorder that people suffer from is Bulimia-Nervosa, this disorder is the act of binging and purging, or eating large sums of food in a short period of time, and then ridding the body of the food, often by throwing up or with laxatives. This disease, while is similar to Anorexia, has its own physical effects and mental effects that are just as deadly. A person who suffers from this disease will often lock themselves in a room by themselves, to binge in private. The differences between the two disorders are the way the food is consumed, how much, and how the diseases differ in terms of being noticeable. The food consumed when the person is diagnosed with Anorexia tends to cut their food up into very small pieces, and very very small portions of food, while a person with Bulimia tends to consume large bites of food, and in large quantities. People with bulimia tend to also be able to hide their disease better, because even in the most desperate attempts of ridding their body of the food, they’re still taking some calories in. This doesn’t mean the bulimia is a safer eating disorder or that it’s better. Both of these disease can ruin a persons life in a very short period of time, and it also can ruin the lives of people around them. Eating disorders don’t only effect the person who has it, it also effects the ones that love them, constantly putting them in fear that you could die or severely hurt yourself. These diseases are like hurricanes or tornados. They come through and cause so much destruction. When they pass, there is still so much damage and there is lots of work that needs to be done to fix things, but they’ll never be the exact way they were before. (nimh.nih.gov) There is an overwhelming idea that the media has loads to do with the growing epidemic that is eating disorders. The media uses sex and the idea of the perfect body in the media to get their point across, even in car commercials you never see a heavier person driving, or the average sized 40 year old man. There is always that constant reminder that one has the perfect body and the perfect smile and the viewer doesn’t. Women in the media are often shown in skimpy clothing, and they’re very fit. Clothing models and runway models are never plus sized. Even fictional characters are thin and beautiful. The idea of the perfect body is constantly flashed in front of our faces, all the time. There is never an add on the TV for being happy with yourself, but there is plenty of exercise equipment and diet pills for sale. A survey was done at Yale, and 4,000 students said they would rather give up a year of their life than be fat, and a large percent of them stated that they would try diet pills, if they felt like they should. 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting. 22% dieted “often” or “always.” Market data estimates that the total U.S. weight loss market was worth $55.4 billion in 2006 and is constantly growing at a very rapid rate. Think about that, all that money is going into paying a person who is fit and beautiful, to tell you that a little pill can make you thin and happy. There’s something very suspicious about that, and I find it very hard to believe that the people in the ads got their 6 pack from swallowing a pill. The media is harder on our minds than we realize, and with it being such a large part of our culture and our lifestyle here in America, we don’t even register that the media is making such a big impact on the younger minds of today. In a survey of girls 9 and 10 years old, 40% have tried to lose weight, according to an ongoing study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Right there is a reason that we should be more concerned with trying to prevent eating disorders, and distorted ideas of body image in the younger generations. By the time girls reach the age of 17, 78% of them are unhappy with the way their bodies look and want to change it. 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner. These statistics are the sad reality behind the growing danger of eating disorders, and how they even effect the younger children as well. The media will probably never stop portraying women as thin beautiful people, all the time, but that doesn’t mean people can’t try to help younger people grow up to understand the truth behind the media, the magical effects of photoshop and make up, and the truth behind the “perfect women.” There isn’t one. (anad.org & healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu) My personal experience isn’t well known. Very few people know about my eating disorder, other have their own suspicions. This will be the first time telling my story so openly, but hopefully not my last. I would love for my story to help someone with their own disorder, but I know in my heart that an unfinished story can’t help someone, only influence them to at least make it as far as I have. I haven’t recovered from my eating disorder, I still struggle on a daily basis with food and my self confidence. Thankfully though, I think I’ve escaped my darkest days. I remember this moment very distinctly, because it was the first time I ever really thought I was fat. I was in 6th grade, and I was on a dance team. The night that we were supposed to perform, I wore a crop top type costume, I remember looking down at my body and not liking what I saw. Things progressed slowly from there and then eventually exploded into a full blown obsession. I suffered from Anorexia-Nervosa and reached my lowest weight, in 8th grade of 78 Lbs. Being only 5’2’’ at the time, people automatically assumed that I would be very petite. On a daily basis I was consuming so few calories that I tended to become light headed and tired all the time. Physically, I just looked worn out, mentally I was worn out, and I was tired of the stress that I was facing. I decided to chose between the things that were most important in my life, and decided that I would have to stop giving at least one thing less attention. Of course, I wasn’t going to give up my eating disorder, it was impossible, so I decided that school was the last thing on my list of things to care about, and I began to fail all my classes. History and English were my two favorite subjects, and I completely stopped trying in everything I did. The assignments we got were never that challenging for me, I just didn’t care enough to try and complete them. I put papers in my locker so they could sit there until I got sick of looking at them, rubrics for projects were thrown in the trash and my projects were mediocre quality. I knew I could do a lot better, but I wasn’t applying myself at all. What changed my life at this point was my fathers divorce, he was going through his own hard time, and left decision making up to me, I chose to move. I was desperate for something to change, and I was also desperate to “fix myself” before I started at a new school. I became obsessed with self help books and websites, equally as obsessed with helping myself, as I was with destroying myself. Eventually I did talk to someone. I tried at home treatment, because I refused to go to a center, I started to overcome my eating disorder and things seemed to get a little better. The time came to move, and obviously I wasn’t going to be able to take my therapist with me, so I stopped treatment, and I moved on with my life. To this day I still see signs of my disorder, haunting the back of my mind. I have my bad days when I won’t eat anything, or days when I feel ashamed of myself because of the things that I did eat, but there are always struggles that come with making progress. I hope to eventually be able to say that I did beat my demons, and that I’m happy with the direction my life is going. Until then, I’ll be fighting my demons and hopefully helping people understand these deadly mental diseases and the effects that the world has on young men and women.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Public Health Issues — Eating Disorders

Essay Examples on Eating Disorders

What makes a good eating disorders essay topic.

When it comes to selecting a topic for your eating disorders essay, it's crucial to consider a multitude of factors that can elevate your writing to new heights. Below are some innovative suggestions on how to brainstorm and choose an essay topic that will captivate your readers:

• Brainstorm : Begin by unleashing a storm of ideas related to eating disorders. Delve into the various facets, such as causes, effects, treatment options, societal influences, and personal narratives. Ponder upon what intrigues you and what will engage your audience.
• Research : Embark on a comprehensive research journey to accumulate information and gain a profound understanding of the subject matter. This exploration will enable you to identify distinctive angles and perspectives to explore in your essay. Seek out scholarly sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
• Cater to your audience : Reflect upon your readers and their interests to tailor your topic accordingly. Adapting your subject matter to captivate your audience will undoubtedly make your essay more engaging. Consider the age, background, and knowledge level of your readers.
• Unveil controversies : Unearth the controversies and debates within the realm of eating disorders. Opting for a topic that ignites discussion will infuse your essay with thought-provoking and impactful qualities. Delve into various viewpoints and critically analyze arguments for and against different ideas.
• Personal connection : If you possess a personal connection or experience with eating disorders, contemplate sharing your story or delving into it within your essay. This will add a unique and personal touch to your writing. However, ensure that your personal anecdotes remain relevant to the topic and effectively support your main points.

Overall, a remarkable eating disorders essay topic should be meticulously researched, thought-provoking, and relevant to your audience's interests and needs.

Popular Eating Disorders Essay Topics

Below, you will find a compilation of the finest eating disorders essay topics to consider:

• The Impact of Social Media on Eating Disorders
• The Role of Family Dynamics in the Development of Eating Disorders
• Eating Disorders in Athletes: Causes and Consequences
• The Effectiveness of Different Treatments for Eating Disorders
• Understanding the Psychological Underpinnings of Anorexia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
• The Relationship Between Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Eating Disorders
• Eating Disorders in Adolescents: Early Signs and Prevention
• The Influence of Culture and Society on Eating Disorder Prevalence
• The Connection Between Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse
• The Role of Genetics in Eating Disorders
• Men and Eating Disorders: Breaking the Stigma
• The Long-Term Health Consequences of Eating Disorders
• Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Becomes a Disorder
• The Impact of Trauma and Abuse on Eating Disorder Development

Best Eating Disorders Essay Questions

Below, you will find an array of stellar eating disorders essay questions to explore:

• How does social media contribute to the development and perpetuation of eating disorders?
• What challenges do males with eating disorders face, and how can these challenges be addressed?
• To what extent does the family environment contribute to the development of eating disorders?
• What role does diet culture play in fostering unhealthy relationships with food?
• How can different treatment approaches be tailored to address the unique needs of individuals grappling with eating disorders?

Eating Disorders Essay Prompts

Below, you will find a collection of eating disorders essay prompts that will kindle your creative fire:

• Craft a personal essay that intricately details your voyage towards recovery from an eating disorder, elucidating the lessons you learned along the way.
• Picture yourself as a parent of a teenager burdened with an eating disorder. Pen a heartfelt letter to other parents, sharing your experiences and providing valuable advice.
• Fabricate a fictional character entangled in the clutches of binge-eating disorder. Concoct a short story that explores their odyssey towards self-acceptance and recovery.
• Construct a persuasive essay that fervently argues for the integration of comprehensive education on eating disorders into school curricula.
• Immerse yourself in the role of a therapist specializing in eating disorders. Compose a reflective essay that delves into the challenges and rewards of working with individuals grappling with eating disorders.

Writing Eating Disorders Essays: FAQ

• Q : How can I effectively commence my eating disorders essay?

A : Commence your essay with a captivating introduction that ensnares the reader's attention and provides an overview of the topic. Consider starting with an intriguing statistic, a powerful quote, or a personal anecdote.

• Q : Can I incorporate personal experiences into my eating disorders essay?

A : Absolutely! Infusing your essay with personal experiences adds depth and authenticity. However, ensure that your personal anecdotes remain relevant to the topic and effectively support your main points.

• Q : How can I make my eating disorders essay engaging?

A : Utilize a variety of rhetorical devices such as metaphors, similes, and vivid descriptions to transform your essay into an engaging masterpiece. Additionally, consider incorporating real-life examples, case studies, or interviews to provide concrete evidence and make your essay relatable.

• Q : Should my essay focus solely on one specific type of eating disorder?

A : While focusing on a specific type of eating disorder can provide a narrower scope for your essay, exploring the broader theme of eating disorders as a whole can also be valuable. Strive to strike a balance between depth and breadth in your writing.

• Q : How can I conclude my eating disorders essay effectively?

A : In your conclusion, summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement. Additionally, consider leaving the reader with a thought-provoking question or a call to action, encouraging further reflection or research on the topic.

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Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical and mental health.

• Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and severe restriction of food intake leading to extreme weight loss and malnutrition.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use to prevent weight gain. Sufferers often maintain a normal weight.
• Binge Eating Disorder: Marked by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of loss of control and distress, but without regular use of compensatory behaviors.
• Orthorexia: An obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy, often leading to severe dietary restrictions and malnutrition. Unlike other eating disorders, the focus is on food quality rather than quantity.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Involves limited food intake due to a lack of interest in eating, avoidance based on sensory characteristics of food, or concern about aversive consequences of eating, leading to nutritional deficiencies and weight loss.
• Pica: The persistent eating of non-nutritive substances, such as dirt, clay, or paper, inappropriate to the developmental level of the individual and not part of a culturally supported or socially normative practice.
• Rumination Disorder: Involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This behavior is not due to a medical condition and can lead to nutritional deficiencies and social difficulties.
• Distorted Body Image: Individuals often see themselves as overweight or unattractive, even when underweight or at a healthy weight.
• Obsession with Food and Weight: Constant thoughts about food, calories, and weight, leading to strict eating rules and excessive exercise.
• Emotional and Psychological Factors: Associated with low self-esteem, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, or a need for control.
• Physical Health: Can cause severe health issues like malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, hormonal disruptions, and organ damage.
• Social Isolation: Withdrawal from social activities due to shame, guilt, and embarrassment, leading to loneliness and distress.
• Co-occurring Disorders: Often coexists with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or self-harming behaviors, requiring comprehensive treatment.
• Genetic and Biological Factors: Genetic predisposition and biological factors, like brain chemical or hormonal imbalances, can contribute to eating disorders.
• Psychological Factors: Low self-worth, perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, and distorted body image perceptions play significant roles.
• Sociocultural Influences: Societal pressures, cultural norms, media portrayal of unrealistic body ideals, and peer influence increase the risk.
• Traumatic Experiences: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse can heighten vulnerability, leading to feelings of low self-worth and body shame.
• Dieting and Weight-related Practices: Restrictive dieting, excessive exercise, and weight-focused behaviors can trigger disordered eating patterns.

Treatment for eating disorders includes psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and family-based therapy (FBT), to address psychological factors and improve self-esteem. Nutritional counseling with dietitians helps develop healthy eating patterns and debunks dietary myths. Medical monitoring involves regular check-ups to manage physical health. Medication may be prescribed for symptoms like depression and anxiety. Support groups and peer support offer community and empathy, providing valuable insights and encouragement from others facing similar challenges.

• As per the data provided by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), it is estimated that around 30 million individuals residing in the United States will experience an eating disorder during their lifetime.
• Research suggests that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Anorexia nervosa, in particular, has a mortality rate of around 10%, emphasizing the seriousness and potential life-threatening nature of these disorders.
• Eating disorders can affect individuals of all genders and ages, contrary to the common misconception that they only affect young women. While young women are more commonly affected, studies indicate that eating disorders are increasingly prevalent among men and can also occur in older adults and children.

Eating disorders are a critical topic because they affect millions of people worldwide, leading to severe physical and psychological consequences. Addressing eating disorders helps in understanding their complex causes and improving treatment options. Exploring eating disorders essay topics raises awareness, promotes early intervention, and encourages support for those affected, ultimately contributing to better mental health and well-being.

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing. 2. Arcelus, J., Mitchell, A. J., Wales, J., & Nielsen, S. (2011). Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: A meta-analysis of 36 studies. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(7), 724-731. 3. Brown, T. A., Keel, P. K., & Curren, A. M. (2020). Eating disorders. In D. H. Barlow (Ed.), Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step treatment manual (6th ed., pp. 305-357). Guilford Press. 4. Fairburn, C. G., & Harrison, P. J. (2003). Eating disorders. The Lancet, 361(9355), 407-416. 5. Herpertz-Dahlmann, B., & Zeeck, A. (2020). Eating disorders in childhood and adolescence: Epidemiology, course, comorbidity, and outcome. In M. Maj, W. Gaebel, J. J. López-Ibor, & N. Sartorius (Eds.), Eating Disorders (Vol. 11, pp. 68-82). Wiley-Blackwell. 6. Hudson, J. I., Hiripi, E., Pope, H. G., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 61(3), 348-358. 7. Jacobi, C., Hayward, C., de Zwaan, M., Kraemer, H. C., & Agras, W. S. (2004). Coming to terms with risk factors for eating disorders: Application of risk terminology and suggestions for a general taxonomy. Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 19-65. 8. Keski-Rahkonen, A., & Mustelin, L. (2016). Epidemiology of eating disorders in Europe: Prevalence, incidence, comorbidity, course, consequences, and risk factors. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 29(6), 340-345. 9. Smink, F. R. E., van Hoeken, D., & Hoek, H. W. (2012). Epidemiology of eating disorders: Incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(4), 406-414. 10. Stice, E., Marti, C. N., & Rohde, P. (2013). Prevalence, incidence, impairment, and course of the proposed DSM-5 eating disorder diagnoses in an 8-year prospective community study of young women. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122(2), 445-457.

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Is it okay to write about mental illness in an essay? Answered

I had an eating disorder, but I'm recovering now. I also started an Instagram account to help other runners with eating disorders. I want to write about this in my commonApp/ApplyTexas essay (UT Austin).

When I search this question on the Internet, I see a lot of advice against writing about it because the colleges might be afraid to admit people who have/had mental illness. But if I'm in recovery and am trying to help others, then is it ok?

Do you have any examples for what you/other people have done about this in the past?

This is perfectly normal.

Earn karma by helping others:

After reading a lot of commentary about certain college essay taboos I would say that writing about an eating disorder can have mixed results. Please hear me out. Let's say your application reader at UT Austin is a woman who similarly had an eating disorder and overcame it and became a strong human. She may look at this topic as a triumph and advocate for you. On the other hand what if you get a sis male ex-jock who never understood this kind of disease personally and pre-judges you and feels that you pose somewhat of a risk in ensuring that UT can rely on you as a viable addition to the class makeup. Do you want to leave it up to chance? I'm not sure it's a toss of a coin 50/50 but perhaps the majority of readers may not completely feel this is the best topic for you to uncover about your personal self.

There are so many interesting things about every applicant that you need to ask yourself if perhaps you can pique someone's interest about you by writing about a different facet of your personality. When you have a disorder like bulimia or anorexia laypeople who are not familiar with it or being part of a friend or family member's recovery might make uneducated assumptions about the causality or circumstances that created this situation in your life and make the wrong non-clinical judgment. If you don't get into UT, and you write this essay topic, you might not forgive yourself for thinking that it was misunderstood. My suggestion is that you assess your risk for writing it and if they are beyond your comfort zone, pick another topic.

An extreme view is that some people might think a hard college like UT is already full of stressors so they want to be sure that their future class has the most success at thriving no matter what kind of rigor is thrown at them. I have a friend who is currently suffering from bulimia and lost 25 lbs this summer over-exercising and calorie counting. She is currently in therapy, intense therapy with multiple docs and although I know she will overcome this, it will not be something she wants to share with colleges yet, let alone her friends and family members.

I’d agree but I’d lean towards the optimistic side but don’t make it depressing have an upbeat tone and focus on your personality not the eating disorder then you absolutely can write about it.

@CameronBameron gave a great answer, but I just want to chime in - it is a risky topic, but if you decide it's right for you, try not to focus too much on the ED and more on how you overcame it. A common mistake with essays on serious topics/illness/tragedy is focusing too much on the event, and not enough on how you responded to it. Hope this helps, and best of luck! It's awesome work you're doing out there :)

As long as you give a story of how you overcame it and make it personal enough that it shows me that YOU came to a realization that changed who YOU are it should be a fine topic to talk about. The major issue I would have is with the Instagram account. It can lead you into going out of topic. Don't forget, the essay is supposed to be about you, not what you accomplished. Also, does the instagram account have a huge following? (more than 10k at least) If yes, then it is something you can mention (after saying your story and how that story led you into creating the account) since you can say you made some sort of impact on other people and your community. If the answer is no, then you can say you are trying to make an impact through the account, but if we are being realistic, colleges love people that have ALREADY succeeded so you mustn't talk that much about it.

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Eating Disorder Scholarships You’ll Want to Apply For

The pressures young people face are overwhelming— academic performance, athletic ability, social status, image, home life and other factors— can all contribute to enormous stress and anxiety at an age when eating disorders are statistically more likely.

Many individuals in high school struggle with eating disorders, but many are also able to overcome their conditions. If you’ve conquered an eating disorder and are looking into the future, check out these eating disorder scholarships. You deserve to be applauded and face one less stressor as you move into the next chapter of your life.

• Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation’s Center for Reintegration Scholarship

The Center for Reintegration Scholarship offers scholarships to individuals who have experiences of mental health disorders to pursue meaningful lives through a reintegration into society. These scholarships are offered to those in active recovery and may cover complete or partial expenses for education up through Ph.D. programs.

Apply for the scholarship here.

• The Looking Glass Foundation Scholarship

This foundation has several scholarships in two different categories, totalling $10,000. The first category offers financial support for individuals who have sought recovery for an eating disorder and are active in their communities through volunteer services. The second category offers aid to individuals who demonstrate a passion for a chosen career path. Applicants must prove a need for financial assistance. Recipients will be full-time students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

Learn more and download the scholarship application form here .

• The McBurney Scholarship for students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Several colleges and universities offer their own scholarship programs for students with mental and physical impairments, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of them. The McBurney Scholarship is offered for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, eating disorders and more. This scholarship is not dependent on financial need.

Read up on the McBurney Scholarship here .

• The Lillian Cooper Droke Memorial Scholarship

Mental Health America funds this scholarship that is awarded to an applicant who has a formal diagnosis of a mental health condition and lives in Tarrant County, Texas. This scholarship is available for individuals in technical training programs or secondary education and a single recipient will receive $5,000.

Apply here.

• The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability

The American Association on Health and Disability grants yearly scholarships to individuals who have personal experience with a disability and have completed at least one year of post-secondary education. In order to receive this scholarship, an individual must be pursuing a career in a field that will better the lives of those with disabilities, such as public health or disability research. 

Applicants must provide proof of disability status and be enrolled at an accredited university to receive up to $1,000. Learn more and fill out an application here .

• INCIGHT Scholarship

The INCIGHT Scholarship is awarded to applicants who have experienced disabilities, including eating disorders, and have shown a passion for community service. Individuals in Oregon, Washington and California are welcome to apply. 

To find out if you are eligible and apply for the INCIGHT Scholarship, click here .

• EDucate for Eating Disorders Survivor Scholarship

This scholarship is available to three individuals planning to attend an undergraduate program who have experience overcoming an eating disorder. In order to receive the scholarship, applicants must submit an essay regarding their experience with their disorder and how they will use it to fight stigma and support others with the same struggles during college. The recipients will receive $500 each.

Apply for the EDucate for Eating Disorders Survivor Scholarship here .

A note on eating disorder scholarships

Scholarships are often highly localized, so if the above scholarship opportunities aren’t applicable to you, try searching in your region or for the school you are attending. Chances are, there are more options than you might assume.

Becoming an eating disorder survivor

Eating disorders can prevent you from living a free and full life. If the prospect of college is daunting because of disordered eating, it’s time to get formal treatment. Start today with Seeds of Hope and become a survivor.

Seeds of Hope offers in-person and teletherapy options for the treatment of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Take the first step into your future and call to set up an appointment today.

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Essay about eating disorder?

I had a long post written out before, but I decided to delete it because the post was VERY detailed. That said, I was thinking about making my CA essay about my eating disorder and how I turned this weakness (poor self-confidence, basically) into a strength (setting my mind to achieving anything). Thoughts? Also, if you want to read my academic profile to see how it would go along with this topic idea, you can read that here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1894117-is-nyu-or-usc-a-dream-or-a-possibility.html#latest

You should not post your essay online, it opens you up to plagiarism risk. You have time to edit.

@intparent this is not my essay AT ALL. I was just elaborating on what my essay would be about. I would not be using any of the text I have posted here.

@intparent are you saying I should still take it down?

In general, I would not write on this. Don’t take the prompts too literally – remember that the college admissions office didn’t make up these prompts, they are from the Common App. You want topics that make them want you on campus. Anything about any kind of mental health disorder is a risk. If you feel a need to write about it, do it in a diary or talk with a therapist (and I genuinely mean that) – but don’t do it in your college essays. There is more to you than your eating disorder – show them that.

This type of question comes up every year. The consensus is the same: why write about something that would give a college a reason to be concerned about admitting you? I’ll grant you that writing about overcoming a problem seems like a strong response. I would not go there.

First off, congratulations on overcoming an eating disorder! They are nasty, nasty things that ruin lives. Never being hospitalized or officially diagnosed doesn’t make it less hard on you. Kudos, for real.

That being said, I don’t see this as a particularly compelling college essay. At least the way you describe it, you overcame your eating disorder by “setting your mind to it”-- while I’m glad you’ve recovered, this description seems to kind of blame a lot of people who continue to suffer with eating disorders. It doesn’t leave a great taste in my mouth, and I can’t imagine it would for the adcom reading either, especially if they had a close family member/friend with an ED. The background about middle school seems important when explaining how it started, but seems really out of place in a college essay-- if the thoughts of high schoolers are rarely organized into interesting thoughts/essays, thoughts of middle schoolers are probably more trivial.

Being vegan could be done if done right; I would leave out how it stemmed from an eating disorder, and avoid any harsh language against the typical diet with meat and dairy. At best, it comes off as “just another one of those preachy vegans…”, which may turn off an adcom. If you can spin it like it’s what you believe in morally and you don’t care if you get flak for it, and then show other examples of how your resistance to following the crowd has helped you in life (again, being careful to avoid “other kids partied, i studied, now i’m valedictorian and they work at mcdonald’s!” shaming language) then I think it could be a cool read.

@intparent Thank you for your honest opinion. I definitely agree with what you’re saying, but my idea was to show how I overcame the eating disorder and how it made me a stronger person mentally, physically, and academically. By overcoming it (with no treatment or therapy, FYI), I also proved to myself that I am capable of anything I set my mind to. Similarly, my “defining characteristic” would be about how I’m now vegan and how that has shaped my world view, too. If you still feel like this is too risky/too personal/doesn’t really showcase all I have, I would love some more advice. I’m really coming at this openly.

It is, bluntly, not a good topic. Pick something completely different.

@novafan1225 thank you for your genuine feedback! I figured I’d be getting some responses like the ones I have been getting, and I truthfully think it’s healthy for me to get this upfront advice. Yeah, I’m strongly leaning towards the vegan topic (and no, I am definitely not a “preachy” vegan, and people I know would tell you that, but I know a few who are haha). I also have never been one to “follow the crowd,” like growing up making YouTube videos despite people making fun of me, so I’m thinking of taking that spin (not necessarily the videos part, but the part about not following the crowd). Thanks again!

Let me +1 on the “don’t write about xxxxxx mental health problem”. Colleges might fail to admit you because they’re worried about something happening to you because you might fall into relapse. Suppose someone decided to write about overcoming depression. If that student relapses and commits suicide on campus or something (like in a dorm), it won’t look very good on the school.

Don’t pick a topic that can give the impression that you are mentally unstable, preachy, or just plain annoying.

This is very close to home for my family. Our daughter overcame an eating disorder. Her struggle concluded near the end of the tenth grade. Her overall profile as a High School student was extremely strong. The list of schools she was applying to was quite reach heavy. We had the discussion about how risky it was to write her primary essay about her experience with an eating disorder. As her parent I was troubled by the thought of an admissions person thinking less of our wonderful daughter, the thought of her entire High School experience being dismissed because of she being perceived as a risky admit. Our daughter understood the risk, I was so intent on protecting her that I encouraged her to not to write about her eating disorder. She decided to, she felt she had to no matter the consequences. I supported her decision because it was her decision to make. I was very concerned though. It worked out for her. I do believe she was extremely fortunate! Best Wishes for your continued good health, and good luck to you!

GOOD LUCK!!!

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Is it a bad idea to write about recovering from an eating disorder for my essay?

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