COVID-19 and eating disorder and mental health concerns in patients with eating disorders

Abstract

Plain English Summary The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders implemented across the world dramatically altered daily life for people of all ages. Previous research has detailed the profound impact the pandemic has had on mental health (MH), particularly among individuals with eating disorders (ED) [22]. This study explored how individuals with eating disorders perceive the COVID-19 pandemic to have impacted their ED symptoms and overall MH. Participants included adolescent/young adults (AYAs) with a diagnosed ED who were given a four-part survey on how they perceive the COVID-19 pandemic to have affected their ED symptoms and treatment and MH (89 participants). AYAs in the study reported feeling that their ED symptoms and MH concerns worsened due to the pandemic. Those who reported concern that their ED would worsen due to a “triggering” living environment were even more likely to report feeling that their ED and MH worsened due to the pandemic. A large percentage of participants also reported a decreased motivation to recover from their ED that they attributed to the pandemic. Overall, individuals with EDs may be at risk for worsening symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results underscore the need for increased monitoring of patients with EDs during the pandemic.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Eating disorders
• Mental health
• Comorbidity
• Mental health recovery
• Adolescents