Anorexia is a severe psychiatric condition and the eating disorder with the highest mortality rate. Without treatment, it can cause health complications that may lead to multiple organ failure.

Also known as anorexia nervosa, the condition causes an intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia may have distorted images of themselves, believing they are obese or overweight even when they are dangerously thin and fragile.

People with anorexia can make extreme decisions about their calorie intake, exercise routine, food limitations, or purging to affect their weight. Without treatment, the condition can lead to health complications that can cause multiple organ failure. This can be fatal.

This article will review anorexia, its fatality rates, and the complications it can cause. It will also describe the treatment options that can help people manage and recover from this condition.

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According to a 2021 study, anorexia nervosa affects up to 3% of young women. The same study also states that this condition has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition, causing the death of about 5% of people within 4 years of receiving a diagnosis.

Anorexia causes around 10,200 deaths every year as a direct result of the eating disorder. This equals one death every 52 minutes.

People with anorexia are also 18 times more likely to attempt suicide than individuals without an eating disorder.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

Learn more about anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia can cause death for various reasons.

People can develop severe malnutrition and weight loss, which can damage a person’s organs over time, potentially leading to severe health complications such as multiple organ failure. This can eventually be fatal.

Anorexia also links with the following:

In some cases, the treatment of anorexia may also cause complications, such as a life threatening condition called refeeding syndrome. This occurs when a person with severe malnutrition starts receiving nutrition again and their body cannot correctly resume its metabolism process.

Learn more about refeeding syndrome.

The most severe complication of anorexia is refeeding syndrome, which typically occurs within 2 to 5 days after refeeding starts.

The symptoms can vary from mild to severe and life threatening. People with anorexia who experience refeeding syndrome may develop further health conditions, such as:

Having other conditions (comorbidities) at the same time as anorexia can significantly increase the risk of death due to issues with glycemic management and malnourishment, which impairs the function of organs such as the pancreas. These conditions may include:

Individuals with anorexia may also have a less positive outlook when they experience illnesses such as pneumonia, which can potentially lead to shock. This is due to the reduced ability of the immune system to fight off infection because of the person’s highly reduced caloric intake.

Many people with anorexia find it hard to recognize and accept they have an illness, so this is usually the starting point of anorexia treatment. Most people ask for help only when they become seriously ill.

Treatment goals

The goals of anorexia treatment include:

Methods

The treatment for anorexia varies depending on a person’s needs. It may include a combination of the following:

  • Nutrition counseling: This aims to teach a healthy approach to weight and food and the importance of eating a balanced diet while restoring appropriate eating patterns. Over time, nutrition counseling can help improve a person’s relationship with food.
  • Medications: These may help reduce depression or anxiety symptoms and assist a person to gain weight.
  • Psychotherapy: This focuses on adjusting certain thought patterns and behaviors to disrupt the mental processes that can lead to anorexia. Psychotherapy may also include sessions of group therapy or family therapy. Various types of psychotherapy may benefit people with anorexia, including:

In the more severe cases of anorexia, people may require hospitalization so healthcare professionals can constantly monitor their vital signs and provide appropriate treatment while reducing the risks of complications, such as refeeding syndrome or lung and heart failure.

Hospitalization may also be necessary to treat severe cases of psychological conditions, such as depression, that can induce anorexia or if a person is experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Having support from loved ones makes a big difference in a person’s recovery from anorexia. Loved ones can learn to understand the condition, recognize its signs, and help the person through it.

Group therapy can also be a powerful tool for people with this condition. In this setting, they can share their experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Group therapy may provide valuable support and a safe space to talk openly about feelings and concerns.

With appropriate help, people can recover from anorexia. Research suggests about 46% of people with this condition fully recover, and another 33% experience a significant reduction in symptoms.

Several charities and nonprofit organizations offer support to people with anorexia. Information about these organizations is below.

Help is available

Eating disorders can severely affect the quality of life of people living with these conditions and those close to them. Early intervention and treatment greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

Anyone who suspects they or a loved one may have an eating disorder can contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, which offers a daytime helpline staffed by licensed therapists and an online search tool for treatment options.

For general mental health support at any time, people can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24 hours a day at 1-800-662-4357 (or 1-800-487-4889 for TTY).

Many other resources are also available, including:

Anorexia is a severe psychological condition. It is life threatening and is the leading cause of death among people with eating disorders. However, with appropriate treatment and support, people with anorexia can recover.

More than 10,000 people die from anorexia every year. Its high death rates are due to the complications of malnutrition, which can cause multiple organ failure, and accompanying self-harm and suicidal behaviors that many people with this condition experience.

People with anorexia may also develop refeeding syndrome, which is life threatening and occurs when people start receiving nutrients, but their bodies are unable to restart their metabolism correctly.

A person experiencing anorexia can speak with a doctor or contact a nonprofit support organization for help.