Tyler Labine's real-life battle with eating disorders made its way into New Amsterdam scripts

People

During the medical drama's first two seasons, Labine's psychiatrist character was often seen eating. After a while, Labine decided to approach the producers. "It was really triggering me," said the 42-year-old actor, in an interview with People. "I have disordered eating and body dysmorphia." After several more conversations, elements of Labine's real-life experience — including binge eating and dangerous fad dieting, a suicide attempt at age 12 and a decision to get help after decades of struggling — made their way into the scripts. "I wish I'd done it sooner," said Labine. "It's been really cathartic to embark on this journey with Iggy ... but it's a big breakthrough for me to tell my story, and hopefully it will help other people."