Telling professor about my bingeing?

It's the same as you would handle calling out sick with an employer. The full details of what you're going through is none of their business. You can let him know you're having some health problems and leave it at that. If the number of your absenses somehow puts you in violation, you may need to talk to someone higher up and/or provide a doctor's note as proof.

Glad you hear you're going to therapy!

Well, aside from the disturbing "He's Jewish but otherwise OK" statement...

DO tell him something is up. You don't have to go into details, but go see him and tell him you are having health issues. Most university counseling services will write or email a prof at your request if you are missing classes.

DO NOT just flake out/stop showing up without explanation. Stop that. It does not make us predisposed to help you. In fact, it lets us know that you do not think our time is worthwhile. If you stop showing up and then weeks later email to say "I've been having health issues" you will get an oy vey and an "F".

FIFY

When you go talk to him you might want to take a little nosh for him. Maybe a bagel or something. I hear "those people" like that kind of thing.

I am a college professor. Unless they are looking for help, I do not like it when students overindulge in their personal lives. It comes off as an excuse to get special treatment and free passes for not handling their responsibilities. If you are missing class and you need to make up assignments, you need to provide a note from a medical professional. Otherwise, you are just asking your professor to make exceptions for you. I tell my students that college is not only a place to learn but it is also 'dress rehearsal' for your real job. Most companies would not allow you to miss days for binge eating. If you are not actively seeking help for your condition, you can't expect your professors to help you by allowing you to miss assignments and class. You have to get help. Most colleges and universities offer free counseling and/or referral programs for students. Please seek help immediately for your eating issues. Your health and education are at risk.

I am a college professor. Unless they are looking for help, I do not like it when students overindulge in their personal lives. It comes off as an excuse to get special treatment and free passes for not handling their responsibilities. If you are missing class and you need to make up assignments, you need to provide a note from a medical professional. Otherwise, you are just asking your professor to make exceptions for you. I tell my students that college is not only a place to learn but it is also 'dress rehearsal' for your real job. Most companies would not allow you to miss days for binge eating. If you are not actively seeking help for your condition, you can't expect your professors to help you by allowing you to miss assignments and class. You have to get help. Most colleges and universities offer free counseling and/or referral programs for students. Please seek help immediately for your eating issues. Your health and education are at risk.

+1. Former adjunct here. And please consider the impact on your lab partner. Depending on how much material you have already missed, you may want to consider withdrawing or requesting an incomplete for the class. Your health must be your priority. Please get well.

I am a college professor. Unless they are looking for help, I do not like it when students overindulge in their personal lives. It comes off as an excuse to get special treatment and free passes for not handling their responsibilities. If you are missing class and you need to make up assignments, you need to provide a note from a medical professional. Otherwise, you are just asking your professor to make exceptions for you. I tell my students that college is not only a place to learn but it is also 'dress rehearsal' for your real job. Most companies would not allow you to miss days for binge eating. If you are not actively seeking help for your condition, you can't expect your professors to help you by allowing you to miss assignments and class. You have to get help. Most colleges and universities offer free counseling and/or referral programs for students. Please seek help immediately for your eating issues. Your health and education are at risk.

+1. Former adjunct here. And please consider the impact on your lab partner. Depending on how much material you have already missed, you may want to consider withdrawing or requesting an incomplete for the class. Your health must be your priority. Please get well.

+2

I am a college professor. Unless they are looking for help, I do not like it when students overindulge in their personal lives. It comes off as an excuse to get special treatment and free passes for not handling their responsibilities. If you are missing class and you need to make up assignments, you need to provide a note from a medical professional. Otherwise, you are just asking your professor to make exceptions for you. I tell my students that college is not only a place to learn but it is also 'dress rehearsal' for your real job. Most companies would not allow you to miss days for binge eating. If you are not actively seeking help for your condition, you can't expect your professors to help you by allowing you to miss assignments and class. You have to get help. Most colleges and universities offer free counseling and/or referral programs for students. Please seek help immediately for your eating issues. Your health and education are at risk.

Harsh and judgemental much?

She is getting help, didn't you read her post?

I am so glad my school was more understanding than you appear to be, otherwise I would not have survived my ED.

And school is school, it is not real life, nor is it a job. An employee is paid, a student is the one paying. Big difference.

Plus most employers actually have empathy for mental health problems. And (in the UK at least) there are discrimination laws about it too - so yes, you would be able to take time off a job if you are having mental health problems.

I think you took that really really wrong. She wasn't belittling the OP but advising her how to handle it and why. And yes, there is empathy for those suffering from an illness, but as she said above, provide a note.

Feigning an illness to avoid taking responsibility for missed work (whether school or a job) is not new and which is why oversharing tends to lead to suspicion and why it's recommended to just bring "proof" and keep explanations short unless they ask and you feel comfortable sharing.

I am a college professor. Unless they are looking for help, I do not like it when students overindulge in their personal lives. It comes off as an excuse to get special treatment and free passes for not handling their responsibilities. If you are missing class and you need to make up assignments, you need to provide a note from a medical professional. Otherwise, you are just asking your professor to make exceptions for you. I tell my students that college is not only a place to learn but it is also 'dress rehearsal' for your real job. Most companies would not allow you to miss days for binge eating. If you are not actively seeking help for your condition, you can't expect your professors to help you by allowing you to miss assignments and class. You have to get help. Most colleges and universities offer free counseling and/or referral programs for students. Please seek help immediately for your eating issues. Your health and education are at risk.

Harsh and judgemental much?

She is getting help, didn't you read her post?

I am so glad my school was more understanding than you appear to be, otherwise I would not have survived my ED.

And school is school, it is not real life, nor is it a job. An employee is paid, a student is the one paying. Big difference.

Plus most employers actually have empathy for mental health problems. And (in the UK at least) there are discrimination laws about it too - so yes, you would be able to take time off a job if you are having mental health problems.

Not harsh or judgemental. I think this poster missed the part about OP seeking professional help but what she's saying is true and doesn't invalidate mental illnesses. If you are missing assignments or exams, you should be required to bring in a doctors note excusing your absence just as you would for a medical illness.

Edited to add that school is "real life". Why should the professor allow her to make up exams/quizzes or assignments without legitimate proof explaining her absence (a doctors note, not TMI from OP herself)?

You may be able to take time off of work for mental health issues but it doesn't change the fact that you would need proof from a doctor as opposed to just an employees word.

Sorry guys, I meant that the classes total are 8 hrs long and I would have to go to the bathroom multiple times during them. I'm really not feeling good right now, my legs feel like they have tons of salt in them and I'm seriously bloated to the point of my skin hurting. Im not using excuses.

I didn't think he really cared but honestly wasn't sure how much in detail to go. If I do happen to miss, should I tell him that I'll see him about also missing last week in the email? And that I will see him in person on Monday after class during his office hrs that day? (He arrives at 8, then we have class, then he sticks around)

I'm really not sure how to phrase it, thank you so much.

8 hours is a long time for a class! Is it a lecture portion plus a lab portion in which students work independently? OK, it sounds like you need a script. I'll tell you what I have said and heard other people say. Just let the professor know before class, especially if there is a lecture portion, because that can be distracting for professors. So before the class starts, approach the professor and say, "I am feeling ill and I will probably have to leave a few times during class." You can add that you're not contagious. When you do leave class to use the restroom, try to be unobtrusive.

After class if you want to talk about the classes you missed and ones that you might miss in the future say something like, "I missed class last week because of a health problem that I am getting treated for. I might miss class in the future too because of it. What I do need to make up for the material and coursework that I miss?" So keep it direct but not overly detailed, and focus on being a good student and keeping up with class. Show that you're not looking for a pass or to be excused from what is expected of you.

I'll add that I have never dealt with ed so I have no idea what it's like but I think this approach works for a lot of other health concerns like migraines and the flu. I wish you success in your education and your recovery.