Suicide is a major risk for those with anorexia nervosa. Suicide contributes to anorexia's extremely high mortality rate, estimated to be between 5% and 20%.
People with eating disorders in general are over 23 times more likely to commit suicide than their peers -- a rate second only to mood disorders like depression. One study focusing on anorexia alone analyzed nine prior studies on suicide and eating disorders. Of 1,536 anorexia patients between 14 and 25 years old, 36 committed suicide. This is a rate of 2.3%. Though only an estimate, it is significantly higher than the 0.72% lifetime suicide rate of the entire U.S. population.
Latest Developments
Researchers are beginning to investigate not only the rates at which those with anorexia commit suicide, but how they do it. The results are sobering, suggesting that we can dismiss the notion that those who end their lives are so fragile physically that they die through even half-hearted attempts.
On the contrary: The initial research finds that those with anorexia who do commit suicide use extreme, lethal methods. And they arrange events to leave little chance of being rescued -- for example, jumping in front of a moving train.
Based on the usual appearance and demeanor of a person with anorexia, this can seem far-fetched. She (or he) will often be very agreeable, willing to help someone at a moment's notice. She may be an excellent student or a high-performing employee. Often, her obsessive tendencies guarantee that she does nothing outside of a very set routine, making her seem nearly invisible. She appears to be very unlikely to commit outlandish acts of any kind. So how is someone with anorexia capable of such violence?
Background
Understanding the psychological profile of a person with anorexia gives us clues that underscore the research data. Though anorexia renders the body weak, the mind remains rigidly strong:
- Determination: You will find few people on the planet who are as goal-driven and unwavering as those with anorexia. Starving yourself takes mammoth strength of will.
- Perfectionism: A fragile sense of self leads to efforts to strengthen it, usually through "doing something." And whatever a person with anorexia does, it must be done well. A lack of perfection creates a direct impact on self-esteem that is too terrible to bear. Perfectionism helps in avoiding these feelings.
- Shame and pride: The mind of a person with anorexia is in a constant battle between shame and pride. Shame drives the need to starve herself, and pride comes from seeing results for her efforts. But when emotions around shame in the midst of depression become too strong, pride will keep the person from seeking help (or wanting it).
- Isolation: Spending time alone is common, since being isolated helps a person with anorexia to carry out disordered eating rituals.
In combination, these factors can increase the risk of suicide in a person with anorexia. Tragically, they can also drive her to make sure she does it "right" or "perfectly," which in this case means using very deadly methods.
