Let’s cut through the sugar-free, carb-free, joy-free nonsense: Eating disorders aren’t just a “phase” or an “aesthetic lifestyle choice” that influencers pretend they’ve recovered from while secretly still counting almonds. They are deadly. And by deadly, I don’t mean “mildly inconvenient” or “just a little dangerous.” I mean eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and yet society still treats them like a trendy diet gone a little too far.
The Uncomfortable Truth: The Mortality Rate
In case you thought I was being dramatic (which, let’s be honest, I am—but for a good reason), here’s some fun math: Studies show that eating disorders have a mortality rate of around 10%. That means that out of every 10 people who suffer from one, at least one will die. Compare that to depression, which is devastating in its own right but doesn’t kill quite as quickly, and you start to see how terrifying this really is.
Anorexia nervosa leads the pack, boasting the highest fatality rate of all psychiatric disorders. If it were a serial killer, it would have its own Netflix documentary by now. Bulimia and binge-eating disorder aren’t far behind, with their own cocktail of deadly complications, ranging from heart failure to stomach rupture.
So, why don’t we talk about this more? Because society has collectively decided that thinness is more important than health.
The Sneaky Ways Eating Disorders Kill
If you thought death from an eating disorder only happens when someone “gets too skinny,” think again. These disorders come with an entire arsenal of body-wrecking consequences. Here’s just a sneak peek at the horror show:
1. Cardiac Arrest: The Silent Executioner
Starving your body doesn’t just shrink your waist; it also shrinks your heart. Literally. The heart muscle weakens, blood pressure drops, and eventually, your ticker just... stops. Many people with eating disorders die suddenly from heart failure, sometimes even while doing something as innocent as standing up too fast.
2. Organ Failure: Because Your Body Needs Food to Function (Shocker!)
Your liver, kidneys, and intestines are not fans of prolonged starvation, constant purging, or massive binges. Over time, your body will cannibalize itself just to stay alive. And guess what? Your organs don’t send a friendly warning email before they give out.
3. Suicide: The Other Tragic Exit
Eating disorders aren’t just physical; they are a mental health crisis. The relentless self-hatred and body dysmorphia often drive sufferers to suicide. It’s a gut-wrenching reality that’s rarely discussed in the glossy, pastel-filtered world of “#EDRecovery” posts.
4. Electrolyte Imbalance: The Science-y Way of Saying “Your Body Just Gave Up”
When you purge, restrict, or binge, your body loses crucial minerals like potassium and sodium. These aren’t just optional seasonings for your cells—they’re essential for keeping your nerves and muscles (including your heart) working. When they get out of whack, it can lead to sudden death.
The Cultural Gaslighting Around Eating Disorders
Despite being one of the deadliest mental illnesses, eating disorders are often brushed off as “not that serious” or, worse, encouraged under the guise of diet culture. If someone starts smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, we all scream in horror. But if someone suddenly cuts out entire food groups, exercises excessively, and “forgets” to eat, we throw them a damn compliment: “Wow, you look amazing! What’s your secret?”
We’ve normalized disordered eating so much that it’s often impossible to distinguish between a lifestyle influencer’s restrictive diet and full-blown anorexia. And don’t even get me started on how weight bias plays into all of this. If a thin person drastically loses weight, it’s cause for concern. If a larger person does the same thing? They’re applauded for their “willpower.”
The Medical System’s Failure to Take It Seriously
Even when people muster the courage to seek help, they often run into medical professionals who are woefully uneducated about eating disorders. Many doctors still operate under the delusion that only underweight people can have eating disorders, leaving those with bulimia or binge-eating disorder dismissed or misdiagnosed.
“Your weight is normal, so you’re fine.” (Wrong.)
“Just eat more.” (Wow, why didn’t they think of that?)
“You don’t look sick.” (Ah yes, because all illnesses come with a specific aesthetic.)
The truth is, people of all sizes, genders, and backgrounds suffer from eating disorders, and dismissing someone’s struggle just because they don’t fit the stereotype is both dangerous and deadly.
The Way Out: Hope Exists (But It’s Not a Straight Path)
Now that we’ve sufficiently dived into the horrifying depths of how deadly eating disorders are, let’s talk about the part no one likes to mention: recovery is hard. Really hard. It’s messy, nonlinear, and sometimes feels impossible. But it’s worth it.
1. Professional Help is a Must (No, You Can’t “Willpower” Your Way Out of This)
Therapists, dietitians, and medical professionals trained in eating disorders are essential. If you’re struggling, seek out specialists who actually understand what they’re doing—because not all doctors do.
2. Call Out Diet Culture’s Lies
Recognize that our society profits off of making you hate yourself. Every time a brand markets a “guilt-free” snack or a “cleanse,” ask yourself who benefits from you feeling like your normal eating habits need fixing.
3. Support Systems Matter
Surround yourself with people who support real recovery, not just the “Instagram version” of it. If your friends are still talking about calories and “bad foods,” it might be time for some distance.
4. Recovery is About Living, Not Just Surviving
Eating disorders don’t just take lives; they steal joy. Recovery isn’t just about eating more—it’s about getting your life back. Food should be fuel, not a moral battleground.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Stop Sugar-Coating This (Ironically)
Eating disorders are one of the deadliest mental illnesses, yet they remain one of the most ignored, trivialized, and misunderstood. If you or someone you know is struggling, take it seriously. Seek help. And for the love of all things good, stop glorifying starvation and pretending “discipline” is the same as self-destruction.
The world has enough problems; we don’t need diet culture adding more casualties to the list.