What are the Long-Term Effects of Anorexia?

What are the long-term effects of Anorexia? I hear this question often from many different people. Some ask because they are currently suffering with Anorexia, but really don’t believe that these effects can happen to them (See The Lie We Tell Ourselves) Some ask because they are in recovery and afraid of what damage they may have done to their body. Some ask just out of curiosity.

It’s important to know that the long-term effects (as well as short-term for that matter) of Anorexia can vary greatly. Some factors that can cause this variation are as follows;

• Genetics
• Length of time the person has suffered
• Severity of the behaviors and disorder
• Individual health

Each person will vary so much because there are a variance of factors that could impact the effects they will get from their disorder. We are all individuals and are affected differently by everything. For instance, ever had a cold that runs through your house and you notice 1 family member always seems to get it worse? Why is that? Their genes may vary from others in the house, they may be smokers, they may have compromised health as it is, etc. As with anything else, people who suffer from Anorexia will be affected differently.

With all that said, below is a list of SOME of the potential impacts suffering from Anorexia could have on your body. Please note this is not an all-inclusive list:

• Brittle bones that may actually come in the form of a bone disease such as Osteoporosis.
• Slowed heart rate that is permanent or long-lasting (may impact your ability to stand up quick without blacking out, your ability to engage in endurance activities, etc.)
• Low blood pressure
• Low energy that may result from the slow heart rate. What takes little energy from another person may cause these people to expend much more energy.
• Hormonal imbalance
• Decreased muscle tone and difficulty putting on muscle.
• Infertility (See How Far Into My Eating Disorder Will I Lose My Period)

On a different note, it is possible that a person does not develop these long-lasting negative effects. It is possible that the Eating Disorder was caught and treated in a way that all effects were reversible. However, a word of caution is not to allow this to make you feel safe in continuing on in an Eating Disorder. Everyone is at risk for serious, long-term and irreversible effects and you may not know for years to come what these effects have been.

There is much research to suggest that the earlier on an Eating Disorder is caught and treated, the much better the prognosis!

If you are struggling with an Eating Disorder, discomfort around food or body image issues, please get help as soon as possible from an Eating Disorder therapist.

I hope you found this post helpful! If you know anyone else who could benefit from reading this, please share with them. If you have any questions, concerns or requests for future posts, please leave a comment or message me privately.

I wish you wellness on your journey to finding your State of Balance!

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