A Mental Health Crisis at Age 11
The most complete account of why Greta Thunberg stopped eating comes from her own family. Her mother, opera singer Malena Ernman, wrote in the 2018 memoir Scenes from the Heart (later re-released as Our House Is on Fire) that her daughter suffered a severe depressive episode at age 11. This period saw Thunberg become withdrawn, selectively mute, and restrict her eating to just a few specific foods: rice, avocado, and gnocchi. The prolonged food restriction led to significant weight loss and low blood pressure, pushing her close to hospitalization.
This crisis was triggered by Thunberg’s growing awareness of climate change, which she first learned about at age eight. Her distress was compounded by the perceived indifference and inaction of the adults around her, including her parents and teachers. For a young girl with what would later be diagnosed as autism, the disconnect between what she was seeing and hearing about the climate crisis and what society was actually doing about it was unbearable. Her profound sensitivity, often a trait associated with autism, left her unable to simply 'move on' as her classmates did after watching a climate change film at school.
The Role of Autism and Other Diagnoses
During this difficult period, Thunberg was eventually diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and selective mutism. The diagnoses shed light on the intense way she processed the information and the world around her. Experts note a higher prevalence of eating disorders among autistic individuals. Thunberg herself has described her autism as a "superpower," explaining that it allows her to see things in a different, clearer way and prevents her from easily accepting lies.
Several factors contributed to the depth of her mental health crisis:
- Intense Worry: Her deep, persistent concern about the planet's future became overwhelming and led to depression.
- Perceived Hypocrisy: The contrast between scientific warnings and societal inaction was too great for her to reconcile.
- Bullying: In addition to her internal struggles, she was also bullied at school, with some teachers reportedly being unsympathetic.
The Turning Point: Activism and Recovery
Thunberg's recovery began with her turning her distress into action. The journey from illness to activism is a powerful one. Her family's account highlights how her first school climate strike in 2018 acted as a pivotal moment in her healing process. Finding a purpose and a platform to voice her concerns gave her a renewed sense of hope and energy. Her mother describes a symbolic moment of recovery during her early activism when she accepted and ate a serving of vegan noodles offered to her by a fellow activist. This act signaled a return to health and connection with a community that shared her values.
Comparing Crisis and Activism
The table below contrasts the period of Greta Thunberg's mental health crisis with the period of her recovery through activism, highlighting the profound shift in her life.
| Aspect | Period of Mental Health Crisis (Age 11-14) | Period of Activism and Recovery (Age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| Core State | Depression, selective mutism, lethargy | Purpose-driven, energetic, expressive |
| Eating Habits | Severely restricted, close to starvation | Normalizing, later embracing veganism for ethical reasons |
| Communication | Minimal, selectively mute, only with family | Open and frequent speaking, addresses global leaders |
| Emotional Driver | Overwhelming despair and anxiety over climate crisis | Empowering action and hope for a better future |
| School Life | Often home, bullied, isolated | School striking for climate, building a global movement |
Is Greta Thunberg vegan because of her past? A clarification
It is important to differentiate between Thunberg's eating disorder and her later, conscious decision to become vegan. Her past struggle was a medical and psychological issue stemming from depression. Her veganism, however, is an ethical and environmental choice. The search results confirm that Thunberg is vegan and actively promotes a plant-based diet to reduce environmental impact. She convinced her parents to go vegan by appealing to the environmental arguments, separate from her earlier health issues. The transition to a plant-based diet was a deliberate action aligned with her climate principles, not a carry-over from her disordered eating.
Conclusion
Greta Thunberg's period of restricted eating was a deeply personal health crisis rooted in severe depression and anxiety triggered by her profound understanding of the climate crisis. It was compounded by her autism, which gave her an intense and unshakeable focus on the problem. The path to recovery involved channeling her distress into concrete action, ultimately giving her a sense of purpose and community. Her story highlights the often-overlooked mental health toll that the climate crisis can have on sensitive individuals, particularly the young, and serves as a testament to the healing power of meaningful action. For further reading on the ethical considerations of climate change and mental health, a relevant resource is available here.
