Teens Battling Eating Disorders
What Parents Can Do About Anorexia, Bulimia, or Binging
Aug 24, 2008
It is not easy to be a teen with all the changes that take place this point in life, both emotionally and physically. Many times the sheer stress can affect a teen's self esteem and confidence, which leads to eating disorders. In fact, it is estimated that over 90% of females with an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25. If you suspect that your child is suffering from an eating disorder, you should realize that she needs professional help from a family doctor. You should also know that eating disorders are not at all uncommon.
Knowing How a Teen Sees Herself
You may wonder why your teen would have an eating disorder. You see a perfect child when you look at her, but that is not what she sees. Remember that when your teen looks in the mirror she sees that she is not quite like the popular girl in her class, or that she did not get that all-important date because she is "fat." If your teen has a negative body image or has been taunted or teased about body size, then this can lead to problems.
Importantly, not all teens that suffer from eating disorders have serious problems, such as extra body weight. Even girls that are already slim have a hard time seeing that they are okay. In other cases, a teen will just experiment with these eating disorders simply out of curiosity and get hooked. At any rate, serious health issues and even death can occur when extreme eating disorders are left unchecked.
Eating Disorders are Not Just for Girls
Girls are normally more affected by eating disorders than boys; however, boys also suffer from eating disorders. You should not turn your head the other way if you suspect your son is having problems. He needs help, too. Boys turn to this bad habit for the same reasons as girls, and because Americans are so overweight on a national average, more and more boys are finding it easier to give into an eating disorder to control their weight.
Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder
There are warning signs of eating disorders. If you are dealing with a teen that is voicing concerns about weight and body image, then you may already know what to look for. Some emotional warning signs include:
- A teen that is obsessed with working out, especially after eating a particularly high fat snack or meal.
- A teen that eats a lot, but seem to lose weight at the same time may be suffering from binging and purging or bulimia.
- A teen that shows little interest in food, or is looking "unhealthy" may have anemia.
The list of physical warning signs is long. These signs may vary from child to child, but they all point to serious problems.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Teen is Suffering from an Eating Disorder
If you suspect that your teen is suffering from any eating disorder, it may be hard to approach her directly about the subject, as she may deny anything is wrong. In this case, it is important to seek help right away from your family doctor. He can give you advice on exactly what signs to look for, and ways to get her into the office for a checkup.
This won’t be something that your teen can walk away from overnight. Many times eating disorders require professional counseling because it stems from their self esteem and perspective. One thing you cannot do is to lecture your child. Lecturing your teen on eating disorders may exacerbate the issue altogether. It is best to supervise your teen and seek help from a professional.
It is very important that you help your teen through this very difficult time. If you can stay positive and offer lots of reinforcement, it will help project a positive image for your teen. Most of all let her know that she is loved, as many teens will come to feel guilty or ashamed about their eating disorder. She should have your support and encouragement all the way through.
Note: This article is not intended to be accurate medical advice. It is written to help bring greater awareness to this condition. If you suspect, under any circumstance, that your teen is suffering from an eating disorder, you should obtain facts and help from a healthcare professional immediately.
