Have you ever known someone who didn’t eat or forced themselves to eat a lot? In both cases, they had an eating disorder. There are actually 3 types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and Bulimia Nervosa. Eating disorders should be taken very seriously. One reason is it’s the most deadly mental illness. Another reason is that the numbers are slowly rising. The final reason is 30 million individuals have one or multiple of the three types in their lifetime.

The first reason why eating disorders should be taken very seriously is it’s the most deadly mental illness. According to Do You Know the Deadliest Mental Health Disorder? (It’s Not What You Think), “one in five people with anorexia who die take their own lives. This means that 20 out of 100 people with eating disorders take their own life.” It can/is so bad. If 20 people are taking their own lives, why isn’t the cause taken seriously?

My second reason is that the percentages are slowly rising. According to Eating Disorders Are on the Rise eating disorders have risen from 3.5% for the 2000–2006 period to 7.8% for the 2013–2018 period. That means the percentage of people who have eating disorders went up 4.3% percent in 7 years. Imagine how much the percent will go in 10 years.

My third reason is 30 million people have one or multiple of the three types. According to Eating Disorder Statistics & Research | Learn | NEDA 30 million Americans struggle with one or multiple eating disorders. This means that 9% of earth’s population will /have an eating disorder in their lifetime.

Eating disorders should be taken Very seriously. One reason is it’s the most deadly mental illness. Another reason is the percents are rising over time.The last reason is 30 million people have one or multiple of the three types of eating disorders. If you know anyone struggling with an eating disorder, PLEASE encourage them to call 800) 931-2237 or email @nationaleatingdisorders.org. or contact the info yourself for them!