Former Seohuiwon, the 'illness' experienced before pneumonia... higher mortality rate than depression and anxiety

Anorexia is really, really dangerousㅠㅠ

Taiwanese actress Shih Szu-yuan (Xu Xi-yuan), wife of singer Koo Jun-yup, suddenly passed away on the 2nd due to pneumonia caused by influenza (the flu). Fans are deeply saddened by her passing at such a young age in her 40s. Former journalist and YouTuber Lee Jin-ho said, "Shih Szu-yuan was not in very good health even before. She was in quite poor condition due to issues like anorexia," expressing his condolences.

Although not well known to the general public, anorexia nervosa actually has the highest mortality rate among all mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety. There are many cases where individuals resort to extreme measures, including physical complications and depression. Reports suggest that 5-10% of patients die within ten years of diagnosis. The fatality rate is 0.56% annually, which is 12 times higher than that of same-age teenage girls. Professor Yulli Kim of the Department of Psychiatry at Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital expressed concern, stating, "It is a disease that is under-recognized relative to its risks."

The medical term for anorexia is 'neurogenic anorexia.' It is a mental disorder characterized by an extreme fear of weight gain, leading to food refusal and extreme weight loss. Despite being underweight, individuals perceive themselves as fat and repeatedly engage in extreme dieting. Even though they are very thin, they continue to lose weight, which can lead to various health problems such as brain atrophy, arrhythmias caused by electrolyte imbalances, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. Leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia are also commonly observed in patients with anorexia. Decreased blood cell counts weaken the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Anorexia nervosa is known to be a mental disorder such as depression and anxiety, with relatively significant genetic factors involved. This means that many individuals are born with a certain level of risk. The average age of onset is only 16 years old. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of patients who visited hospitals for anorexia nervosa increased from 3,746 in 2019 to 5,735 in 2023, an increase of 2,000. Considering that the prevalence rate (the proportion of people affected) is regarded as 0.6% of the total population, the academic community estimates that there are many "hidden anorexia nervosa" cases that are not yet recognized as patients. Even if patients visit hospitals, they may be diagnosed with anemia, hypothyroidism, infertility, etc., and go to internal medicine, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology, leading to cases being omitted from anorexia statistics.

Anorexia nervosa is typically treated with a combination of nutritional therapy, psychological education, and improvements in eating habits, aiming for recovery to a normal weight. If the condition is severe enough to threaten life, involuntary treatments such as hospitalization should also be considered. During anorexia, the brain receives insufficient nutrients, impairing judgment functions. Despite malnutrition, some individuals attempt to lose more weight through compulsive and intense exercise. Professor Yulli Kim emphasized, "Anorexia is common among children, adolescents, and young women, and can lead to serious physical complications, but voluntary motivation for treatment is often weak. Therefore, attention from family, surrounding people, and society is necessary."

Journalist Park Jung-ryeol (parkjr@mt.co.kr)