Eating Disorders Later in Life

By Leslie Thompson

Let’s be honest—most of us have had one of those days when we were disappointed or even disgusted by the image of ourselves in a mirror. For most, this feeling doesn’t linger very long and we are able to regain confidence in our appearance. But for some, seeing an unfit, unattractive reflection staring back through the glass is a skewed perception that occurs daily—one that reveals the hidden secret of an eating disorder. What’s more shocking is that the person looking in the mirror often isn’t an adolescent girl—it’s a woman in her forties or fifties.

Generally thought to afflict teens and young adults, eating disorders—including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating—have been on the rise over the past 20 years. Affecting both men and women, eating disorders plague at least 10 million Americans. Of this number, approximately 13 percent are adults. What has caused the upswing of eating disorders among adults? As with teenagers who suffer from the disorder, there is no single cause. Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from psychological, social, biological, and behavioral factors.

Some women’s eating disorders are socially driven. Just look at television shows such as Desperate Housewives, Lipstick Jungle, and Sex and the City. All of the women portrayed in these shows are over 30 and are gorgeous and fit. In fact, they all seem to be perpetual visitors of the fountain of youth. As pressure to look young mounts, women are having a hard time dealing with the added societal demands. Instead of becoming more comfortable in one’s body, more and more older women are looking for ways to change their appearance either via cosmetic procedures and products or the more harmful route of an eating disorder.

Skewed body image is only one factor that can contribute to an eating disorder. As men and women enter middle age, they often go through other experiences that can trigger an eating disorder. For example, the breakup of a marriage, death of a spouse, and an empty nest can all lead to an eating disorder.

Eating disorders mask underlying problems of depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Having the ability to control what one eats, or doesn’t eat, gives the individual a sense of control and power that is lacking in their everyday life.

Although treatment for adult eating disorders has become more prevalent in recent years, many sufferers do not seek treatment out of guilt and shame. In order for treatment to be successful, individuals must first confront their feelings of failure and overcome their feelings of anger.

Unfortunately, most people who suffer from an eating disorder do so alone. They try to hide their harmful eating habits from their friends, their spouses, and their children, which only exacerbates their feelings of isolation and shame.

Eating disorders are deadly and have the highest mortality rates of all mental health illnesses. As more people seek treatment and as midlife eating disorders become better known to the general public, those in need of treatment may start to feel that they are not alone. If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, please contact your closest treatment facility.