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September is the National Suicide Prevention Month and is a time when you face many factors that contribute to your suicide risk. Of these, one of the most overlooked and deadly is the intersection of eating disorders and suicide in military groups.
When we imagine military service, we often think of strength, Resilienceand unshakable discipline. But under this image, a quiet crisis unfolds. Eating disorders and suicide risk are rarely addressed, and rarely intersect the suffering of silence between service members and veterans.
Eating Disorders: Serious Life-Threatening Diseases
Eating disorders are not stages, diets, or personal choices. They are complicated Psychiatry One of the highest mortality rates of mental disorders. For example, anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates among mental illnesses, and holds suicide as the main cause of death.1 Suicide risk remains significantly elevated compared to the general population across diagnosis including bulimia nervosa, bulimia, and other specific feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).2 In the US, approximately 10,200 people per year, or one every 52 minutes, is associated with an eating disorder.3
The prevalence of the military and veteran population is particularly pronounced. One study found that 32.8% of female veterans and 18.8% of male veterans exhibited signs of a possible eating disorder.4 Approximately 26% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide, highlighting the serious emotional and psychological toll of these diseases.5 Despite these surprising statistics, eating disorders often lack undiagnosed, with recognition, early recognition and intervention being important, especially in populations. Stigma And systemic pressure can conceal warning signs.
Military culture and overlapping risk factors for suicide
Values of military life, dedication, accuracy and control – properties essential to effective service. However, these same qualities can unintentionally contribute to eating disorders and increase the risk of suicide.
- Dedication and discipline: Punishing strict diet and training may be considered a commitment. masking A messy meal.
- Perfectionism: Meeting weight and performance standards can spiral into obsessions and harsh self-criticism.
- Control as a solution: Food management and Body image It can feel like the only safe anchor in chaos, stressor trauma.
These cultural pressures are forced through intense metering, body composition standards, and controversy Tape testoften drives extreme behavior like crashes dietdehydration, laxatives, purges, or surgery.6,7 Veterans often have these internalized expectations throughout their service and make seeking help even more challenging.
Layered above these pressures are psychological traits and trauma-related factors that increase the risk of both eating disorders and suicide.
- shame and secret
- All or neglectful thoughts and intolerance of failure
- High tolerance to physical and mental distress
- fear Drop others or make them look weak
This vulnerability exacerbates military-like experience sexual Trauma (MST), exposure to combat, or frequent transitions can cause physical shame as a coping mechanism and abuse feeding. Co-occurrence PTSD, anxietyor depression, Everything common in military groups further strengthens both the symptoms of eating disorders; suicide Ideas. Furthermore, hunger vs. or low energy availability can biologically impair brain function, reducing impulse control and increasing the risk of suicide.
Together, these cultural, psychological, biological, and trauma-related factors form a dangerous storm. There, the excellent traits of service members such as discipline, patience and control can serve as barriers to seeking help, ensuring they are not aware until life-threatening.
Killing silence
Perhaps the most dangerous element is silence. In many cases, active members fear judgement, demoted or separation from the military. Veterans may carry stigmas all the time after being discharged from the hospital. This culture of silence deepens isolation, delays intervention, and amplifies suicidal thinking.
Why is this important?
Our goal is to protect the happiness of those who serve. Through early awareness, openness, stigma-free conversation and caring care, we can save lives and support a lasting recovery.
Dr. Edwin Schneidman, one of the founders of modern suicidal studies, challenges us to pause and reflect.
“I’m happy to inconvenient people’s responses to two important questions. Where does that hurt? And how can I help?”5
These questions aren’t just for the moment of crisis. They remind us that taking the time to ask, listen and respond can actually be life-changing. In a military culture where strength, perfectionism and control often hide suffering, this small act of being can break through silence and isolation.
This National Suicide Prevention Month is about to bring this hidden crisis into the light. Eating disorders and suicide are not separate issues. They are deeply intertwined public health concerns. By recognizing the signs, asking difficult questions and asking help, we can protect those who have given their lives to protecting us.
If you or someone you love is thinking of committing suicide, immediately seek help. Reach out to the Crisis Textline by dialing 988 24/7 Dial 988 on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or by texting 741741. The Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
