Anxiety & Eating Disorder Onset Graph

Michigan State University

3 different explanations for the observed pathology of the comorbidity of anxiety and eating disorders:
- Anxiety may be a risk factor for the development of an eating disorder
- Anxiety may be secondary to eating pathology
- Both disorders share common vulnerability factors

Comorbidity of Anxiety and Eating disorders

Swinbourne, J., Hunt, C., Abbott, M., Russell, J., St Clare, T., & Touyz, S. (2012). The comorbidity between eating disorders and anxiety disorders: Prevalence in an eating disorder sample and anxiety disorder sample. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 46(2), 118–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867411432071 

The comorbidity between eating disorders and anxiety disorders: Prevalence in an eating disorder sample and anxiety disorder sample

Typically occurred simultaneously or following the onset of an eating disorder:
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder

Common anxiety disorders associated with eating disorders

- Early negative experiences
- Childhood anxiety
- Excessive fear about eating, shape and weight

Risk factors for developing an eating disorder

- Positive association
- Specific symptoms including bingeing, vomiting, and negative body image
- Abuse may act as a moderator for eating disorder pathology

Child Sexual Assault and Eating Disorders

Anxiety & Eating Disorder Comorbidity Samples

- 74% inpatient met criteria for one anxiety disorder
- 56% of outpatient eating disorder sample met criteria for one anxiety disorder
- Across both samples, 65% met criteria for at least one anxiety disorder

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