Anorexia nervosa is considered the deadliest mental health disorder due to its high mortality rate. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 to 25. While typically associated with females, anorexia actually affects both males and females across various ethnic and racial groups. A recent study found that around 0.80% of American adults will experience anorexia in their lifetime, and eating disorders in general are associated with impairments in psychosocial functioning. People suffering from anorexia need proper treatment to address the biologically influenced medical illness.

1. Anorexia Nervosa: The
Deadliest Mental Health
Disorder
EDCare

2. Mental illness makes the most devastating impacts on a person suffering from it. Anorexia nervosa, an
eating disorder, wreaks havoc on a person’s life, especially among teens and young adults. Clinicians
consider it the most dangerous mental illness because it carries the highest death rate among all mental
health disorders.
Who are at the Greatest Risk?
Almost 30 million people – regardless of age and gender – live with an eating disorder, the National
Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders says. Adolescents, however, are among those
at the highest risk. The age bracket between 12 and 25 are the most common age for the onset eating
disorders.
Females aged between 15 and 25 years old suffering from anorexia have a mortality rate that is 12 times
higher than the rate of other causes of death. Despite this, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services clarifies that females are not the only people living with anorexia nervosa.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) debunks the said myth, adding that 10 million men
and boys in America suffer from an eating disorder.

3. How Common are Eating Disorders?
The Biological Psychiatry recently released a study revealing the prevalence of eating disorders in
America. The new figures showed up based on a nationally representative sample of 36,609 adults.
The findings unveiled that 0.80 percent of American adults will suffer from anorexia nervosa throughout
their lifetime. Bulimia nervosa, on the other hand, will affect about 0.28 percent while 0.85 percent will
experience a binge eating disorder.
The study confirms that eating disorders are, in fact, common. Both men and women – regardless of
ethnic or racial groups – suffer from the said condition throughout their lifespan. The researchers also
found that eating disorders are associated with impairments in psychosocial functioning.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services points out that eating disorders are not a choice and
they are serious. Research shows a direct correlation between eating disorders and suicide attempts.
People who suffer from anorexia nervosa need the proper treatment to put a stop on the biologically
influenced medical illness.

4. Sources:
https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2018-01-04/the-truth-about-teen-eating-
disorders
https://eatingdisorder.care/
http://www.anad.org/education-and-awareness/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/
https://www.hhs.gov/blog/2018/03/01/busting-5-myths-about-eating-disorders.html
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180530/New-study-estimates-current-prevalence-of-eating-
disorders-in-the-United-States.aspx