Let’s get something straight: eating disorders are a monster. For anyone, they’re brutal, but for trans teenagers? It’s a whole different level of hell. The stats are f*cking terrifying—studies estimate that anywhere from 25% to over 50% of trans people have battled eating disorders. Compare that to about 9% of the general population. That’s not just a red flag; it’s a goddamn siren.

Now, let’s throw in the growing bans on gender-affirming care for minors. This shitshow is setting the stage for a mental health disaster, and eating disorder treatments are about to get dragged down with it.

First, some context. Many trans teens develop eating disorders as a way to cope with their bodies not matching their gender identity. For some, it’s about trying to suppress puberty. For others, it’s about achieving a body that aligns more closely with how they see themselves—whether that means starving themselves to appear more androgynous or bulking up to look more masculine. It’s a deeply painful way of trying to gain control over something that feels utterly uncontrollable.

And it’s not just anecdotal. Research backs this up. A study published in Transgender Health in 2019 found that 54% of trans-masculine adolescents and 29% of trans-feminine adolescents reported at least one disordered eating behavior in the past month. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has also acknowledged that trans youth are disproportionately affected by eating disorders, often exacerbated by societal pressures and lack of access to affirming care.

Here’s the kicker: gender-affirming care can be life-saving. Hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgeries are shown to reduce gender dysphoria and improve mental health outcomes. They’re not just about helping someone transition physically; they’re about easing the crushing weight of living in a body that feels all wrong.

When trans teens can access gender-affirming care, their eating disorder symptoms often improve. A 2020 study in Pediatrics found that puberty blockers significantly reduced suicidality in trans youth. And while the study didn’t focus specifically on eating disorders, let’s not kid ourselves—if someone’s not constantly battling thoughts of self-harm, they’re in a better place to tackle issues like disordered eating.

Another study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that access to hormone therapy reduced rates of disordered eating in trans youth by alleviating body dissatisfaction. The connection is clear: when trans teens feel more aligned with their gender, they’re less likely to resort to harmful behaviors like starving themselves or purging.

But now we’ve got 26 states banning gender-affirming care for minors. Let that sink in. That’s more than half the country saying, “Sorry, kid. You’re on your own.” And it’s not just state-level bans. The federal government’s starting to get in on the action too, with proposed nationwide restrictions and even bans on military health insurance covering this care for service members’ kids.

So, what’s the fallout? Let’s not sugarcoat it—these bans are going to push more trans teens into the dangerous arms of eating disorders. Without access to puberty blockers or hormone therapy, many teens feel trapped in bodies that are changing in ways that cause them profound distress. And when you’re desperate to stop those changes? Disordered eating starts looking like a grim solution.

Here’s another layer to this mess: treating eating disorders in trans teens is already a specialized challenge. Most traditional eating disorder treatments don’t take gender dysphoria into account. Imagine being a trans teen in therapy for anorexia and having to listen to a counselor tell you to “love your body as it is.” Sounds great on paper, but for a trans kid who’s desperate to escape their current body? It’s like pouring salt in the wound.

When gender-affirming care is available, therapists and doctors can integrate it into eating disorder treatment plans. Hormones, puberty blockers, or even just the promise of future medical transition can be a lifeline for teens struggling with disordered eating. Take that away, and you’re left with a half-assed treatment plan that doesn’t address the root cause of their distress.

The lack of affirming care also places more pressure on already overwhelmed mental health professionals. Eating disorder clinics and therapists are often undertrained in working with LGBTQ+ youth, and removing gender-affirming care from the equation only makes their job harder.

This isn’t just a problem for the teens themselves. Families are being torn apart by these bans. Parents who want to support their trans kids now have to decide whether to stay in a state that denies them care or uproot their lives to move somewhere more accepting. And let’s not forget the emotional toll this takes on siblings and extended family members who may struggle to understand what’s happening.

Communities, too, are feeling the strain. LGBTQ+ organizations and support groups are scrambling to fill the gaps left by these bans, but there’s only so much they can do. The bans create a chilling effect, making it harder for trans teens to feel safe and supported even in spaces that are supposed to be inclusive.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: public opinion. A Gallup survey from June found that 51% of Americans think “changing one’s gender is morally wrong.” At the same time, 60% oppose laws banning transition-related care for minors. The cognitive dissonance is real, folks.

This split in public opinion is giving politicians plenty of ammo to push these bans, often under the guise of “protecting children.” But let’s be real. These bans aren’t about protecting anyone; they’re about scoring political points. And the people paying the price? Trans teens and their families.

So, what do we do about it? For starters, we need more education around the importance of gender-affirming care. People need to understand that this isn’t about pushing kids to transition; it’s about giving them the tools they need to live healthier, happier lives.

We also need to fund research into the links between gender dysphoria and eating disorders. The more data we have, the stronger the case we can make for keeping gender-affirming care accessible.

Finally, we need to fight these bans at every level. Whether it’s voting, protesting, or donating to organizations like the Trevor Project or the National Center for Transgender Equality, we all have a role to play.

Banning gender-affirming care for teens isn’t just cruel; it’s dangerous. It’s going to lead to more eating disorders, more mental health crises, and more lives lost. Trans teens deserve better. They deserve to grow up in a world where they can access the care they need to thrive, not just survive. And it’s up to all of us to make that world a reality.