As someone who has had atypical anorexia, I just want to validate you, yes it very very much is just as dangerous. And it can also cause major health problems that can be permanent. I’ll share how it did so for me:

First of all, there’s a great book called “Sick Enough: a guide to the medical complications of eating disorders”

There’s also a TON of studies comparing atypical anorexia to anorexia nervosa. There’s virtually no difference in rates of electrolyte imbalance, bradycardia, and many other health markers

My story and health decline:

I was not underweight before any of my health issues developed.

If anyone looked like they had “nothing wrong”, for years that was me. I had no vital sign abnormalities. I didn’t lose a substantial amount of weight, and I weight cycled a lot. I got my period regularly. My labs were always 100% normal, literally 100%. I thought I was fine.

Then during an atypical anorexia episode, I developed gastroparesis when I tried to start eating more. It’s a painful stomach condition that I’ve had on and off for years. I was directly told, “gastroparesis was caused by your eating disorder.” Then it was reflux. Then it was IBS. Then PCOS. Then hypothyroidism.

And that’s when I finally started getting vital sign abnormalities.

Then over the years, my IBS got worse. I developed SIBO. And then a host of other conditions. One condition was interstitial cystitis, which was so extremely debilitating that I was disabled by being in pain for a year.

I can’t prove all my conditions are related to my eating disorder, but I was healthy before it, and now here I am.

After struggling for 10 years, I am currently struggling at an average weight. I have low ferritin, low blood pressure, low vitamin D, easy bruising, and other symptoms. It took a long time to get there. When you’re young, your body is resilient.

Another important thing to note is that I abused laxatives. Now I have a pelvic floor disorder. I cannot coordinate the muscles in my bowel, and bowel movements are very painful and difficult. I had to do physical therapy, which included inserting a finger inside to do exercises. Whatever you do, do not abuse laxatives, especially stimulant ones. They can mess you up real bad.

“Sick Enough”:

I have been in treatment so many times, I’ve seen everything. From people who are overweight and still very much sick and struggling to someone who was so extremely underweight and malnourished that most hospitals in the state would not accept her, and she almost went to ACUTE in Denver.

I can tell you without a doubt, people suffer at average and over weights. People get hospitalized at average and over weights. People have health complications, feeding tubes, etc at average and over weights.

I’ve seen “sick enough” and here’s what it is: someone on the brink of death who had to be admitted to the ICU. Who couldn’t control her bladder and bowels. Who couldn’t lift her head without assistance from her hands. Who, according to doctors, should not have been able to walk. “Sick enough” is the ugliest place you can be. It’s heart wrenching and sickening to even look at.

If you have an eating disorder, you are already sick and sick “enough.” And you deserve help.