Suicidal Behavior in Eating Disorders

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Abstract

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, with suicide being the second leading cause of death. In addition to frank suicide attempts (some of which are premeditated and some of which are impulsive), many individuals with eating disorders engage in other intentional forms of self-injury, especially those individuals with purging symptomatology. In fact, those who use multiple purging strategies are especially likely to attempt suicide. Prospective predictors of suicidality in this population include having a co-morbid substance use disorder and engaging in laxative abuse. In addition, multiple forms of impulsive behavior are common among those individuals with eating disorders who have attempted suicide. Clinicians working with an eating disordered population must be aware of the high risk of suicidality in order to appropriately assess for, and monitor this risk vigilantly throughout treatment, because we now know that heightened suicide risk may continue even after eating disorder symptoms begin to improve. Thus, careful assessment of suicidal ideation, as well as degree of lethality and intent to die, must be part of the initial, as well as ongoing assessment, in the treatment of individuals with eating disorders.

Keywords

Anorexia nervosa Suicide Prognosis Eating disorders 
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Clinical Psychology ProgramAmerican School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington D.C.ArlingtonUSA

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