We are familiar with common mental illnesses that are easy to recognize. However, eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating are the most deadly illnesses that should be looked at more seriously.

The following are mental disorders that require treatment:

serous woman with deadly eating disorder

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar
  • Narcissism
  • Manic Depressive Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder

Although these are recognized as they should be, the list does not include the most deadly of mental disorders that is not yet in the “household names” group.  These disorders are eating disorders and they are the most dangerous. 

Why do we refer to eating disorders as being the deadliest?  That answer is dependent on the type of eating disorder: 

Everyone of the listed eating disorders have been proven to demonstrate heart failure due to constant purging and lack of nutrients causing stress on the body’s internal organs.

Those that suffer from eating disorders harm themselves the most - more than any other mental illness.

That is the reason eating disorders carry the highest mortality rate compared to any other mental illness.

In a study conducted by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, it was reported that between 5 – 10% of those with anorexia die within 10 years from the start of their disorder.  18-20% of anorexics die after suffering for more than 20 years.  Only 30-40% of anorexics ever recover from their illness. If they are able to recover from anorexia, a healthy lifestyle that consistently promotes recovery is important in order to keep the disorder dormant. 


For females 15-24 years old, those that suffer from anorexia nervosa have a death rate that is twelve times that of ALL causes of death.  This writer thinks that it is likely this number is so high because families and loved ones of anorexia sufferers do not take the disease as seriously as others and do not give it the proper medical attention it deserves.


For family members, it is hard to know the true severity of an eating disorder because it is often hidden from others or done in private.  Siblings, spouses, and even parents do not have any idea how much the sufferer obsesses about food and their body.  They may not be able to offer help until they actually see physical affects of the disorder.  This means that the mental illness has gone on so long that it has become an addiction.  When we take all this into consideration, it is easy to see how 20% of those that suffer from anorexia will die prematurely due to complications (including heart problems and suicide) related to the disorder.

Please help anyone who you feel may need help for their eating disorder. The staff at The Victorian is behind you to encourage that you take the bold step of taking action immediately.  Do not wait until it is too late.  Contact us now and we will help your loved one overcome their eating disorder.