Part II: The effect of Ozempic on people suffering with eating disorders
Trigger warning: The following article contains discussions about eating disorders with explicit descriptions. Some readers may find this distressing.
Ozempic and its derivatives have been all the buzz in the media over the last year, due to their ability to promote weight loss. In my previous article, I explored exactly what these drugs are, how they work, as well as how they have hindered progress within the body positivity movement. In this article, I will focus on how Ozempic and its media prominence can affect those with eating disorders.
The negative impact of Ozempic on eating disorders
According to the NHS, “an eating disorder is a mental health condition where you use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations”. They can come in the form of eating too little, eating excessive quantities in discrete time periods, or going to great lengths to get rid of any food consumed – such as self-inducing vomit, exercising excessively, or misusing laxatives.
In people suffering with, in recovery from, or at risk of an eating disorder, having access to a drug which suppresses appetite has the potential to cause significant harm. Especially for eating disorders characterised by a restricted eating pattern, such as anorexia nervosa, the idea of a drug which will help maintain restrictive ‘goals’ is incredibly dangerous. Indeed, there are even reports of doctors prescribing Ozempic for people who are anxious about their weight, without any screening or background checks.
There is not yet any concrete research available on the impact of these weight loss drugs on people with or recovering from eating disorders. As a scientist, research is usually the place I go to, especially when trying to relay evidence on a topic. However, in this case, I can offer some personal opinions on the matter.
In 2020, I suffered with anorexia – as did roughly 60,000 people in the UK alone. Luckily, due to the support of my friends and family, I was able to quickly come back to a healthy weight, and I would now class myself as fully recovered.
Writing these articles has caused me to wonder how my story might have been different if I had known about Ozempic during that time. At the height of my eating disorder, my mind was constantly preoccupied with thoughts of food and weight. Hearing about Ozempic now, I can see how the media buzz and ongoing discussions of weight loss could have easily fuelled my obsession with food and thinness.
The way these drugs are portrayed as offering easy, cosmetic ‘benefits’ only reinforces the harmful belief that being thin is what matters most. From my own experience, I know how quickly this mindset can take over, and it’s concerning to think about the damage it could do, even for those who aren’t using the drug themselves.
An important thing I also learned is that being recovered is not just about being of a healthy weight. It involves a difficult path of learning to navigate food choices without constant anxiety, and separating self-worth from body size. This is why conversations around weight loss and drugs like Ozempic need to be approached with caution. People in recovery may seem outwardly healthy, but they can still be vulnerable to triggers. During my recovery, when I was uncomfortable in my growing body, I would’ve likely jumped at the opportunity to take a drug which made restricting effortless.
This is why it’s crucial to recognize that what may appear as a harmless ‘quick fix’ can have serious consequences. If someone of a clearly healthy weight requested bariatric surgery, they would be swiftly turned away. So, why should the situation be different when this drug essentially has the same effects? Research shows that anorexia is one of the deadliest psychiatric illnesses, emphasizing the need to protect these vulnerable groups when discussing and prescribing these drugs.
Two sides of the coin: Ozempic as a treatment for eating disorders?
However, there are some who would also argue that Ozempic and other similar drugs can help people with certain eating disorders. For example, it has been suggested that for people suffering with binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa (both of which are characterised by uncontrollable episodes of eating large quantities of food in a discrete amount of time), Ozempic can help to suppress the urge to binge and help to quieten food noise.
However, it should be considered that having an eating disorder does not mean you always fit into one specific category of, for example, binge eating or anorexia. Indeed, many go through natural processes of ‘symptom switching’ throughout their eating disorder (whereby they switch from a disordered eating pattern fitting one disorder to another). For many with binge eating disorder (BED), resisting the binge is the ultimate goal, and being ‘better’ at this restriction due to taking Ozempic may cause them to actually consume very little throughout the day. This may ultimately cause BED to morph into a restricted eating disorder, such as anorexia.
Furthermore, the effects of Ozempic disappear once people stop taking it. Research shows that for BED, the most important thing is to treat the core psychopathology underlying the urge to binge (for example, by reducing impulsivity and compulsivity). Using Ozempic as a sole treatment for binge eating disorders is unlikely to target these processes, and thus the urge to binge may return if they stop taking it. However, studies have suggested that when used in combination with psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, drugs like Ozempic may help with the treatment process by improving compliance but should still be prescribed with caution.
Clearly, the story surrounding Ozempic is incredibly complex and highlights the need for careful consideration and awareness. The media’s focus on weight loss and cosmetic benefits can have serious implications for those struggling with eating disorders, potentially exacerbating their challenges. It’s essential to approach these narratives thoughtfully and seek out reliable support. If you are struggling and need support, below are a few helpful organizations that offer both resources and direct assistance:
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