It is understood that eating disorders are often the symptom of another mental health condition. Anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma have some of the highest co-morbidity rates with eating disorders. According to a study in 2022, anxiety has the highest rate of overlap with eating disorders at 62%. Research shows that eating disorders and anxiety often show up together, intertwining in ways that can be difficult to untangle.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are not just about food; they’re complex mental health conditions with both emotional and physical symptoms. Although anyone can be affected, eating disorders most commonly appear during adolescence or young adulthood. For more information on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, please read my previous post detailing them in depth.

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is a natural stress response, but anxiety disorders involve persistent, excessive fear or worry that interferes with daily routines. They are among the most common mental health conditions worldwide. Some of the most common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Living with an anxiety disorder can make everyday activities feel like an uphill battle, especially when combined with an eating disorder.

How Are Eating Disorders and Anxiety Related?

Research suggests a strong connection between the two:

• Prevalence: Studies find that a significant number of people with an eating disorder also meet criteria for at least one anxiety disorder. Some estimates are as high as 65%.
• Order of Onset: Anxiety symptoms often begin in childhood or early adolescence, sometimes years before the eating disorder appears.
• Shared Risk Factors: Both conditions can be fueled by:
  • Genetics (family history increases risk)
  • Perfectionistic personality traits
  • Low self-esteem
  • Chronic stress or trauma
  • Negative early-life experiences

How One Can Fuel the Other

Anxiety can show up in eating behaviors in ways that may not seem obvious. For example:

• Obsessive thoughts about food, calories, or body shape can heighten pre-existing anxiety.
• Restrictive eating or purging may be used as ways to cope with uncomfortable feelings or regain a sense of control.
• Social anxiety can lead to skipping meals with friends, intensifying feelings of isolation.

This connection can become cyclical. For some, anxious thoughts lead to disordered eating habits. For others, shame or physical effects from an eating disorder worsen the anxiety. Emerging research shows that both anxiety and eating disorders impact neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood, impulse control, and appetite. This overlap may explain why treatments that help anxiety, such as certain medications or therapy, can also be beneficial for eating disorders.

Treatment and Recovery

The good news is that both eating disorders and anxiety are treatable. Many interventions used to treat anxiety, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy, can be used to combat eating disorders as well.

In addition to therapy, medical support is often necessary to manage both eating disorders and anxiety. A physician may prescribe an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication to reduce the intensity of the anxiety, especially if the anxiety is making it difficult to eat.

Both eating disorders and anxiety can feel overwhelming, but they do not define you. If you recognize any of the symptoms or struggles described here, consider talking with a mental health professional. Compassionate, integrated care can transform both how you relate to food and how you manage anxiety. You’re worthy of support, and you don’t have to do this alone.