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Most people associate eating disorders with younger adults or even adolescents. But the reality is that these debilitating mental health conditions impact everyone, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, or any other personal factors.
And data on the subject shows that a large number of middle-aged and older adults struggle with eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa.
One reason why many people may not associate eating disorders like bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), and binge eating disorder (BED) with middle aged, older, or elderly patients is that a majority of research on the subject is conducted on younger people. But what studies have been done on older populations have found that late-onset cases (presenting in people age 35 and older) are increasing.1
Various studies compiled by the National Eating Disorders Association and other groups studying eating disorders found:1,5
Overall, one analysis of nearly 50 case studies surmised that 69% of patients over 50 had late-onset eating disorders, representing a combination of previous eating disorders that had reappeared later in life and first-time cases.
While it's possible to develop BN at any age, there are a number of challenges particular to elderly people that may have a hand in bringing about, resurfacing, or complicating this condition and other disordered eating behaviors.
It may be difficult to identify bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders in older patients, thanks to a number of unique factors that exist for this group of people.
Elderly people are more likely to live alone or not have regular contact with close friends or family, which can allow them to develop and struggle with eating disorders for some time without anyone noticing.
Additionally, many eating disorder symptoms can present similarly to symptoms frequently encountered by older people for other reasons. Vomiting, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, hair loss, malnutrition and moodiness—all key signs of bulimia nervosa—can also be attributed to a number of other illnesses or even the effects of some medications frequently used by older adults.
Many older people may also be less forthcoming about their condition, even if they're aware their behavior has become problematic. One report sadly conjectured that fewer older people acknowledge having an eating disorder, since they have “fewer future goal-related motives for recovery,” or may not want to burden their families at this stage in their life.3
When an elderly person does develop an eating disorder, the consequences can be disproportionately devastating when combined with the physical effects of aging, which makes it even more important for these individuals to find proper treatment for their conditions.3
Unfortunately, there can be a number of barriers to care for elderly people struggling with BN and other eating disorders. Availability of programs in their area may be limited; and, as many elderly people live alone and no longer drive, accessibility to those programs may be an additional challenge.
Insurance—or, the lack thereof—is another factor that may particularly impact an older person’s search for treatment, especially for people who are retired or otherwise no longer working.
But even for people who can’t find or afford more traditional treatment options, there is still hope.
A method of treatment called self-help therapy has shown particularly effective for helping people with bulimia nervosa. The treatment helps people work themselves through the problem, by having them follow a series of exercises in workbooks, apps, or online programs, and is often more cost-effective and easier to find than other types of treatment.4
Regardless, anyone struggling with bulimia nervosa or another eating disorder shouldn’t give up hope. Recovery from these conditions is always possible—and it’s never too late to seek help. Call our team of eating disorder professionals at Within Health to learn about our virtual care programs for bulimia nervosa.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
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