A 2019 study looking at suicide attempts in people diagnosed with eating disorders found that 31.4% of those with bulimia nervosa, 24.9% of those with anorexia nervosa, and 22.9% of those with binge eating disorder had attempted suicide.
Unfortunately, those statistics are unsurprising given the mental toll of eating disorders. So much brain space is taken up by food calculations, meal plans, compensatory measures, shame, guilt, and negative body image. Eating disorders are mentally and emotionally exhausting, leaving very little room for other, more constructive thoughts.
It’s a neverending battle because the eating disorder can never be satisfied. Even reaching a goal weight won’t make one happy with their appearance because that number will always be a moving target.
When eating disorder behaviors are used as a way to cope with other issues and those issues go untreated, the cycle is difficult to break. Eating disorders sometimes stem from unresolved trauma, so without trauma-informed eating disorder therapy, it is easy for the eating disorder to maintain control. One study found that 94% of people with eating disorders have co-occurring mood disorders (mainly depression), which contributes to suicidality.
To compound the issue, eating disorders cause people to miss out on many parts of life that could bring them hope and joy. People struggling with eating disorders tend to withdraw from social life, avoid activities that would alter their eating or exercise routines, and eat alone to avoid more feelings of shame.
So what can be done?
First, know the warning signs of suicidality:
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Thinking the world would be better off without them
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Wishing they were dead or could disappear
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Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
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Worrying they are a burden to others
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Displaying extreme mood swings
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Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Keep these numbers in mind for those who may need them:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
If suicidality is not a current concern, identifying eating disorder warning signs is the next step. Disordered eating has become so normalized that it is important to have knowledgeable people raise concerns about their friends and family. If you can recognize signs of diet culture and disordered eating, you are in a position to help others.
Once you have started a conversation about your concerns, you’ll want to gently offer resources like the NEDA website and ANAD. ANAD offers support groups and mentorship programs. In a mentorship, you can meet with a recovered peer once a week for up to a year. They will lend an ear when you need it, help you strategize through issues, and support you through the ups and downs of eating disorder recovery.
If you are concerned about your own relationship with food, take this quiz on the NEDA website. The NEDA helpline, which is available for all eating disorder-related concerns.
If treatment costs are an issue, look to Project HEAL. Kindful Body is a part of Project HEAL’s HEALers Circle, meaning we donate online eating disorder therapy and nutritional counseling to those in need in the state of California.
It’s normal to be reluctant to seek eating disorder treatment, and investigating your options for care is an important first step in your healing journey. Getting treatment maybe what’s needed to save your life.
And if a friend or family member is struggling, bookmark this blog for reference. You might just save a life.
Kindful Body’s team offers compassionate, trauma-informed care and specializes in online therapy for all eating disorder types. You can easily schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if online eating disorder care is right for you by following this link.
