From Eating Disorders to Status to Meritocracy

Examining America’s social structures reinforcing our drive to achieve

As a US-based clinical psychologist and Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University, I specialize in treating extreme, perfectionistic, and high-achieving behaviors gone awry, such as those found in Eating Disorders (e.g., Anorexia Nervosa), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorders. These disorders are brain-based with strong biological components, yet they are also strongly influenced by societal norms. (One glaring example is the persistent propagation of the thin-ideal in media, which reinforces the drive for thinness apparent in many types of eating disorders.)

As I work individually to help people shift their attitudes and behaviors, we inevitably come-up against the pull of the American society - to be better, thinner, prettier, wealthier…to achieve more accolades and gain more status. When our sessions end, this is where I find my thoughts: pondering how these social pressures drive the very behaviors we are working so hard to manage.

These thoughts have been the impetus for my recent launch of a podcast exploring our drive for Meaning Vs Merit, and how to balance the two. They have also propelled me to start this Substack newsletter, aimed at exploring America’s social structures underlying our drive to achieve more status and merit so that we can stand out as special.

Thinking deeply - about life, others, how we can move through life with more meaning and connection - has always been my passion. It’s an integral part of my therapy and teaching, and it fills most of my moments in-between.

And as a psychologist, teacher, and also parent, understanding the social drivers that are hurting our mental health is too important a topic to not think deeply about.

I hope you will join me on this journey.