Prognosis
Prognosis is a medical term that refers to the likely outcome of any disease.
The prognosis of anorexia nervosa may vary slightly depending on a variety of
factors like age of onset, family environment, weight loss, duration of treatment,
duration of symptoms etc. Onset of this disorder in teen years has a more favorable
outcome however when the onset occurs at a tender age or in adulthood the prognosis
is not so favorable.
Anorexia nervosa is one of the most serious eating disorders and may have a
high mortality rate (up to 20%) if left untreated.
Around sixty percent of patients stage a complete recovery after undergoing
proper treatment and are able to lead a normal and healthy life.
Even after undergoing treatment around twenty percent patients are not able
to recover fully and may only partially recover. Such people are not able to
get this psychological disorder out of their system and may still remain preoccupied
with food and calories to some extent. They may also face difficulties in forming
relationships or having a meaningful career.
The last twenty percent do not show any sign of improvement and remain severely
symptomatic and seriously disabled. Their total life revolves around food and
weight management. Many of them might eventually die of starvation, suicide
or due to medical complications associated with severe malnutrition.
