Mortality In Anorexia Nervosa
According to a study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, women in Sweden with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were 6.2 times more likely to have died during a 30-year period than those in the general Swedish population. 6009 women with anorexia were followed up retrospectively, utilizing national registers based upon the personal identification numbers of Swedish residents. Causes of mortality were varied, but suicide was one of the most frequent causes of death in this group.
A six times greater likelihood of death – that’s a significant risk. In addition, anorexia nervosa (the nervous inability to eat) is one of the psychiatric diagnoses with significant physical morbidity. Unfortunately, it is also difficult to treat and is often associated with a host of comorbid issues. Treatment usually requires a concerted effort amongst a patient’s health providers and personal network. It is a disorder that most in the field of psychiatry run across infrequently, making it even more difficult to manage. Therefore, I highly recommend consulting with people who have familiarity with anorexia when treating someone with this diagnosis. I, personally, always ask for assistance in such situations.