In response to ‘Too thin to stay’

I hope any IU student trapped in eating disorder (ED) thoughts and/or behaviors is not afraid to seek help on campus for fear they will be asked to leave, because it’s not true.

I have an ED myself and am being treated through the Health Center.

Only when my ED began threatening my life was I asked to take a break from my studies and receive intensive treatment.

ED’s are illnesses not about weight. Complications and co-diagnoses accompanying ED’s can be fatal. People with ED’s can be at risk for suicide, cardiac arrest, organ failure and substance abuse.

When an ED threatens a student’s life, being asked by IU to put his/her health ahead of education is protecting the student.

Physicians take the Hippocratic Oath, swearing to “do no harm.”

Isn’t knowing a student is at risk of killing him/herself doing harm to the student?

I believe it’s called negligence.

Recovering from an ED isn’t easy or quick. ED’s differ by individual in their presentations.

Treatment has to be specialized, covering every aspect of the disorder: physically, nutritionally, emotionally and psychiatrically.

The Health Center treats all components. The providers that sent me to treatment in the first place continue to treat me since returning, while I work full-time on my Ph.D.

I have always had complete support from my advisor, department and the College of Arts and Sciences to put my physical and mental health first.

I worry that students dealing with ED thoughts and behaviors will not seek the exceptional and affordable care through IU, believing they’re “not that sick,” “not sick enough,” or feel they have to “fix it” on their own so they won’t be kicked off campus.

The goal has always been to help students lead happy and healthy lives at IU and beyond, whatever it takes.

Deterring students from ED treatment resources could put seriously ill students even more at risk.

Without the IU Health Center and its encouragement for me to receive appropriate treatment for my ED, I would probably be dead, not pursuing my goals as I am today.

­— smcook@indiana.edu