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High Prevalence And Low Prevention Of Lawyers’ Eating Disorders

Many eating disorder sufferers maintain average weights, despite engaging in self-destructive behavior in private.

By Hannah Geller  
on

fast food scale LF

In a recent, large-scale study of law student mental health from the Journal of Legal Education, 27% of law students (18% of male respondents and 34% of female respondents) screened positive for eating disorders. Only 3% of respondents had actually been diagnosed.

This low diagnosis rate is hardly unique to the legal profession.  Without explicit attention, eating disorders are difficult to detect.  Many eating disorder sufferers maintain average weights, despite engaging in self-destructive behavior in private.

Sufferers tend to be secretive about their symptoms, as well as the painful emotions that that trigger them.  Well-educated and proactive healthcare providers, friends, and family members are essential for ensuring adequate treatment.  But few primary care doctors, schools, or state medical programs require any eating disorder screening.

Lawyers, too, tend to be secretive.  This trait makes us excellent trusted advisors and maintainers of confidentiality.  But it also makes us reluctant to talk about our troubles and seek help when we need it.

In early 2016, the Ford Foundation and ABA teamed up to conduct a broad-based study of mental health in the legal profession.  The results confirmed what many in the profession have intuited: disproportionately high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as alcohol and substance abuse, in the legal community.  The media took note.  Law schools and professional associations throughout the country pledged to amp up their mental health resources.

But eating disorders have fallen by the wayside.  Despite a high correlation rate between depression, anxiety, and stress with eating disorders, the Ford/ABA study failed to isolate data.  The ABA’s largest mental health initiative, the largely volunteer –run Lawyers’ Assistance Program (“LAP”), similarly lacks eating disorder resources.  Other prominent mental health initiatives for lawyers include Lawyers with Depression and the Dave Nee Foundation, which addresses suicide and depression.  No existing organizations explicitly address eating disorders among the legal community.

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A former LAP chair explained that the Project was created primarily to address alcoholism.  Over time, it has evolved to serve as a general resource for mental health problems within the community.  According to the ABA website, the LAP is charged with assisting attorneys, judges, and law students with substance abuse, addictive disorders, and “such issues as stress, depression, problem gambling, vicarious trauma, and other mental health issues where appropriate.”  The website continues on to list and describe the following mental health issues: Addictions, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Impulse Control Disorders (Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Pyromania, Kleptomania, Conduct Disorder, Exhibitionism or Exhibitionistic Disorder, Pathological Gambling, Trichotillomania), and Suicide.   Eating disorders receive a single link to “Overeaters Anonymous” on a linked page off of the main site.

Overeaters Anonymous follows an Alcoholics Anonymous model.  White sugar and flour are considered addictive substances.  Members pledge abstinence from them and follow a strict food plan.

But sparse evidence exists to substantiate the idea that food is addictive in the same manner as alcohol or narcotics.  Furthermore, the OA on the wagon/ off the wagon approach establishes a black-or-white, all-or-nothing mentality, rather than a flexible lifestyle approach.  When dieters perceive themselves as either being “good” – following the diet—or “bad” – breaking the diet, they are more likely to feel ashamed– and overeat as a result.

Both serious eating disorders, as well as more mild issues with emotional eating, compulsive eating, and weight management, require specialized attention.  Private organizations, such as the Renfrew Center and New York City-based Balance, as well as non-profit organizations, such as NEDA and ANAD, offer excellent treatment options, with low-cost and insurance-covered plans.  Intuitive Eating is a terrific choice for those with lower grade weight management and eating issues. Diets, on the other hand, are not only ineffective, but may even make the problem worse.  97% of dieters regain any weight they lose, plus more, over a three-year period.  And over 30% of eating disorders begin with a diet: diets lay the foundation for a binge/purge approach to eating.

Within our profession, as well as within society at large, eating disorders require more attention in general.  Law schools and the legal profession have made impressive strides in increasing attention to mental health and wellness, particularly over the past year, since the Ford/ABA study was released.  But when it comes to eating disorders, we are still ignoring the issue. Let’s shine a light upon the problem plaguing 27% of our law students.  Let’s inform, destigmatize, and serve our students, lawyers, and judges with these painful, stressful, and health-threatening issues.  This time, let’s set an example to the rest of the country, instead of lagging behind.

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Hannah Geller is a health and mindfulness coach in New York City.  Her “Enlightened Up Eating” program adapts mindfulness to help busy people make healthy choices and reduce stress around food. Formerly an attorney and yoga teacher, Hannah is a graduate of Yale University, Columbia Law School, and Om Yoga. More information is available at www.hannahgellerwellness.com 

Eating Disorder Resources:

National Eating Disorders Association

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

800-931-2237

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa &

Associated Disorders

www.anad.org

630-577-1333

Non-Diet Approaches to Nutrition and Weight Management:

Health At Every Size

Intuitive Eating

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