Lindsay Segal, Eating Disorder, Anorexia

Interview by Emily Florence

Editor’s note: When some of our editors proposed a piece on eating disorders—in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week—our editorial meeting turned into a debate. Some were staunchly for it, others against and I, personally, was on the fence. “It’s been done so many times.” True. “But it affects nearly 10,000,000 women and girls.”* Also true.

I regret to say that it wasn’t until about ¼ of the way through the following interview that I realized how imperative it is to share Lindsay Segal’s story of her three-year battle with Anorexia Nervosa with Savvy Miss readers. She’s a woman who, in some ways, is like every single one of us. Maybe this subject has been covered. Maybe some consider it trite. But there is a reason we’re featuring Lindsay Segal as one of our Ambitious Women. This is a story you need to hear.

I want someone to see me and help me. But I can’t ask for help because I am scared. I am so scared all the time, scared of food, of getting fat, of everyone making me eat, but I am more scared to not have this. I wish it would end or I would end…