Eating Disorders: Medical Complications, Mortality & Recovery Pathways

Eating disorders (EDs)—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED—are serious mental illnesses with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition (after opioid overdose).

Systemic Medical Complications

• Cardiac: Arrhythmias, QT prolongation, cardiomyopathy, sudden death (electrolyte shifts, starvation).
• Endocrine: Hypothalamic amenorrhea, osteoporosis, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes risk (BED).
• GI: Gastroparesis, constipation, reflux, pancreatitis, esophageal tears (vomiting).
• Renal: Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, renal failure.
• Neurologic: Brain atrophy, cognitive impairment, seizures (hyponatremia).
• Psychiatric Comorbidity: Depression, anxiety, OCD, substance use, suicide.

Quality of Life Impact

Social isolation, occupational/academic impairment, financial strain, family burden.

Treatment

• Multidisciplinary: Medical stabilization, nutritional rehabilitation, psychotherapy (CBT-E, FBT, DBT), pharmacotherapy (fluoxetine for BN/BED, olanzapine for AN weight gain).
• Levels of care: Outpatient → IOP → PHP → Residential → Inpatient medical.

Early intervention improves prognosis. Contact NEDA (1-800-931-2237) or ANAD for referrals.