Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Consulting

Medical complications caused by the malnutrition associated with anorexia include:

anemia, kidney trouble, brittle bones, and hormone and electrolyte imbalances.

Anorexia can be fatal:

• The chemical imbalances in the body can cause the heart to shut down without notice, even in a young woman who does not appear to be dangerously thin.
• The Disorder can so impair social life, family connections, and personal development that suicide is a serious risk.

Early intervention and treatment can reduce the dangers of serious medical and psychosocial complications, and increases the chance of recovery: 70% of women studied do recover from anorexia.