Terminal anorexia nervosa is a dangerous term: it cannot, and should not, be defined

Abstract

A recent article (JED 10:23, 2022) proposed defning terminal anorexia to improve access to palliative and hospice care, and to medical aid in dying for a minority of patients with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN). The authors presented three cases and, for two, the frst author participated in their death. Anorexia nervosa is a treatable psychiatric condition for which recovery may be uncertain. We are greatly concerned however regarding implications of applying the label “terminal” to anorexia nervosa and the risk it will lead to unjustifed deaths in individuals whose mental illness impairs their capacity to make a reasoned treatment decision.