The association between MDD and suicide is well known. Psychological autopsy studies have found that 30%–90% of individuals who die from suicide suffered from MDD (Isometsa, 2001). MDD is common in individuals with AN: 50–75% of individuals with AN experience lifetime MDD (Calugi et al., 2014; Fernandez-Aranda et al., 2007; Mischoulon et al., 2011; Rastam, Gillberg, & Gillberg, 1995; Wade et al., 2000), which may be a risk factor for suicide in AN (Preti et al., 2011). Individuals with an eating disorder who attempt suicide are more likely to have a lifetime history of MDD than individuals with an eating disorder who do not attempt suicide (Anderson et al., 2002; Bulik et al., 2008; Corcos et al., 2002; Favaro & Santonastaso, 1997). In fact, over 80% of individuals with AN who attempted suicide reported that their worst attempt occurred during an episode of MDD (Bulik et al., 2008).
