Eating disorders carry among the highest mortality rates of psychiatric illnesses, with suicide a leading cause of death for conditions such as anorexia nervosa. Approximately 10,200 deaths in the United States annually are linked to eating disorders. Prevalence among service members and veterans is elevated, with studies showing high rates of probable eating disorders and about 26% of affected individuals having attempted suicide. Military values like discipline, perfectionism, and fear of judgment can mask harmful behaviors and amplify risk. Stigma and underdiagnosis impede detection and care. Breaking silence and improving screening are essential to prevent severe outcomes.
Eating disorders are not phases, diets, or personal choices; they are complex psychiatric illnesses with one of the highest mortality rates of any mental disorder. For example, Anorexia Nervosa carries one of the highest death rates among mental illnesses, with suicide as a leading cause of death. 1 Across diagnoses, including Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED), suicide risk remains significantly elevated compared to the general population. 2
In the United States, approximately 10,200 deaths annually, or one every 52 minutes, are linked to eating disorders. 3 The prevalence in military and veteran populations is particularly striking: One study found that 32.8% of female veterans and 18.8% of male veterans show signs of probable eating disorders. 4 Around 26% of individuals with eating disorders have attempted suicide, underscoring the severe emotional and psychological toll of these illnesses. 5
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