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The Rise of the Midlife Eating Disorder

By Staff Writer

The stresses and pressures of adolescence lead many teens to grapple with eating disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 90 percent of eating disorder sufferers are women between the ages of 12 and 25.

But teens and young women aren’t the only ones suffering. Experts estimate that between one and three million adult women suffer from anorexia or bulimia, and that 10 percent of all eating disorder patients are over the age of 40. Some have children, careers, spouses and very “normal” lives – except that they are hiding a life-threatening mental illness.

Studies show that a growing number of adult women, age 30 all the way up to 60 and 70, are developing eating disorders as adults. While some of these women have struggled with an eating disorder for decades or are entering eating disorder treatment after a relapse, many never suffered from an eating disorder until later in life.

Some of the most common causes of eating disorders in adult women are:

  • Divorce or the end of a significant relationship
  • Death of a parent or loved one
  • Loss of a job
  • Menopause
  • Seeing children leave home
  • Pressure to compete with older celebrities or live up to idealistic images of beauty in the media
  • Increased body dissatisfaction after childbirth
  • High stress levels from balancing family, work, finances, elderly parents and personal life

At core, eating disorders are maladaptive ways for people to cope with life transitions and difficult emotions. Fortunately, older women bring a level of maturity and motivation into treatment that can result in enhanced outcomes.

Eating disorder treatment programs can help both teens and adults with eating disorders learn healthier ways to cope, challenge negative self-perceptions, and get back to a healthy weight and lifestyle. Through individual, family and group therapy for eating disorders, as well as group outings and education, women can spend the rest of their adulthood in good mental and physical health.