Anorexia nervosa damages nearly every system in the body, with long-term, permanent damage more likely to develop the longer someone struggles with the illness. Unfortunately, this type of damage can lead to premature death.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder of undereating, and results in profound nutritional depletion. Weight loss and nutrient deficits affect every organ in the body. While most of these changes are largely reversible, the brain can suffer permanent damage if AN persists without treatment.
While anorexia nervosa can result in many different types of organ damage and medical complications, most of these effects are reversible with recovery. It is never too late to reach out for support and begin the healing process.
If a person with anorexia becomes severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged, including the brain, heart and kidneys. This damage may not be fully reversible, even when the anorexia is under control.
The three long-term affects of anorexia are hormone and growth problems, heart problems, and neurological problems.
In severe cases, the long-term health risks of anorexia may result in suffering nerve damage that affects the brain and other parts of the body. As a result, these nervous system conditions can include: Seizures. Disordered thinking.
Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a mortality rate 5 to 16 times that of the general population [1]. Further, less than one-third of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will recover if the disorder persists after 9 years, even if they received treatment in that time period [2].
In an older person, the risks are even greater. Anorexia takes a huge toll on every system in the body. In an elderly person, the body is much less resilient in the first place due to the natural process of aging, and therefore, an eating disorder could cause more serious damage and more rapidly.
Parts of the brain undergo structural changes and abnormal activity during anorexic states. Reduced heart rate, which could deprive the brain of oxygen. Nerve-related conditions including seizures, disordered thinking, and numbness or odd nerve sensations in the hands or feet.
The most serious risk of anorexia is death. In fact, about 10% of people with anorexia will die because of their eating disorder [2]. Like we said, anorexia is one of the deadliest mental illnesses. People with anorexia who have died tend to pass away due to starvation, heart problems, or suicide [2].
Brain Recovery After Anorexia
Parents of patients with anorexia report a range of time, from six months to two-plus years for full “brain healing” to occur.
Anorexia nervosa complications can occur due to every organ in the body is negatively affected by this disorder secondary to severe malnutrition. Malnutrition leads to electrolyte imbalances and loss of fluid in the body resulting in vital organ failure affecting the heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and brain.
How long does anorexia last? In about 50% of people diagnosed with anorexia, the condition can last for 5 years or more. Recovery is a gradual process and can take years. For some, treatment for anorexia can be lifelong.
Individuals whose bodies are severely depleted and whose behaviors have become deeply ingrained will have a much longer road-to-recovery. These individuals will have to take more time to heal themselves physically as their bodies have been ravaged by the impacts of malnutrition.
Recovery from an eating disorder can take months, even years. Slips, backslides, and relapse tend to be the rule, rather than the exception. Re-learning normal eating habits and coping skills can take a long period of time and often requires lots of support from professionals, friends, and family.
Research suggests that around 46% of anorexia patients fully recover, a 33% improving and 20% remaining chronically ill. Similar research into bulimia suggests that 45% make a full recovery, 27% improve considerably and 23% suffer chronically.
People with anorexia nervosa can be severely underweight, are preoccupied with food and fear putting on weight. They often have a distorted body image and see themselves as fat. Changes happen in the brain due to starvation and malnutrition.
Psychological symptoms of anorexia nervosa
rules about dieting, body shape and weight. irritability around meal times. depression and anxiety. slowed thinking and decreased ability to concentrate.
This review established that people with anorexia nervosa score 10.8 units and 5.9 units above the average intelligence quotient of the normative population on the National Adult Reading Test and Wechsler Intelligence Scales, respectively.
The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, respectively, affect 0.5 percent and 2-3 percent of women over their lifetime. The most common age of onset is between 12-25.
Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) typically fare worse than those with other eating disorders, and it is unclear why [1-3]. Patients with AN are more likely to drop out of treatment prematurely and less likely to experience sustained symptom remission following treatment [4-9].
The anorexia death rate is the highest of all mental illnesses as it is a very complex and complicated disorder. It requires early diagnosis and access to care with close follow-up and often long-term treatment.
There are also different tiers of anorexia based on BMI ranging from mild (<17.5), moderate (16-16.99), and severe (15-15.99), to extreme (<15). A BMI below 13.5 can lead to organ failure, while a BMI below 12 can be life-threatening.
Restoring patients to a healthy body weight. Stabilizing accompanying symptoms and medical conditions of the eating disorder. Reducing or eliminating negative behaviors including bingeing, purging, and compulsive exercise. Building self-esteem and improving body image.
A normal BMI for an adult is 18.5-25. Above that you are overweight and below that you are underweight. Adults with anorexia have a BMI below 17.5.