What Are the Risks of Anorexia?
Warning: This post mentions suicidal ideation and attempt. If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone who might be at risk, please call or text 988 Canada for support. If you think someone is in imminent danger, call 911.
Anorexia is an eating disorder with many risks for complications.
In the first blog post for this series on anorexia and AI I described the diagnostic factors and symptoms of anorexia. In the second post for the series, I described the atypical anorexia, and made note of how similar the two disorders are. For this series, when I say 'anorexia' I mean both classifications.
Anorexia has many risks and considerations both the physically and emotionally. These may be a consideration between counsellor and client when treatment plans are created.
Physiological Risks
Those who live with anorexia are at risk of a host of other health concerns including bone density loss, organ malfunction, reproductive issues, and heart rate irregularities.
Comorbidities and Concurrent Disorders
Depression and anxiety are highly comorbid with anorexia, for example, which can significantly increase suicide risk. Obsessive-compulsive tendencies are common in people with anorexia for both food and unrelated to food.
Suicide Risk
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals with anorexia. The risk of death by suicide in those with AN is estimated to be 18 times higher compared to age- and gender-matched individuals without the disorder. If you are thinking about suicide or worried someone you love is at risk for suicide, please call or text 988. Help is available and 988 responders are there to listen 24/7.
Neurodivergence
People who are neurodivergent are at higher risk of developing disordered eating habits than people who are neurotypical. Working with people who live with autism and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and who also struggle with anorexia may require unique approaches. Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and pica are often comorbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but these presentations can sometimes be misdiagnosed as AN.
Share Your Thoughts
What surprises you about the risks of anorexia? Are there any other areas you're curious about?
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