The early stages of the pandemic were hard on all of us, but for those already vulnerable to mental health issues, being stuck at home for a year could be unbearable. Thrown out of our routines without work, school, extracurricular activities or in-person socializing, it’s clear that the psychological ramifications of the past two years are only beginning to surface. And researchers contend that those vulnerable to disordered eating found the past two years particularly trying. Eating disorders have shot up and experts are trying to figure out why.
According to one study published in the British Journal of Psychology, U.S. incidences of eating disorders increased by more than 15 percent in just one year. After analyzing hospital data from over 81 million patients across the country, the study also found that a high proportion of those who were diagnosed with eating disorders also showed suicidal behavior.
