Studies indicate that about 30 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder. The sad news is that there are raising cases concerning the disorder. The only reason experts and medical experts were able to detect it is because of better screening and open conversations. Teenagers must be comfortable talking about their mental health; it is one of the ways to know their problems.
Teens are always open to talk about it since there is a reduction in stigmatization, especially on social media. They are capable of talking openly about their challenges and their eating struggles. The biggest obstacle is when children have to face so many advertisements on their screen regarding food.
Before any parent can know if their teen has an eating disorder, it is advisable to know the different types of eating disorder:
Anorexia Nervosa
A disorder affects both the male and female species. The main characteristic is the obsessive fear to gain weight. They end up having an issue with maintaining healthy body weight and always have a perception of their body image. These patients end up limiting the amount of food to eat and still see that they are overweight. This condition brings about bone loss, brain damage, heart difficulties, risk of death, and infertility.
Bulimia Nervosa
The signs are repeated binge eating, followed by the feeling that one has overeaten. They end up with forced vomiting, extreme use of laxatives, and fatigue. They hate their body size and shape; have shame, lack of control, and guilt.
Binge Eating Disorder
These patients will lose control of their eating habits such as purging, lots of exercise, and fasting. They end up being obese and other cardiovascular diseases. The patients feel embarrassed, guilty, and distressed.
For parents with teen daughters fighting an eating disorder, stand with them against the problem and help them out. It should start with you, offer your support, and they will open up. Look for professionals to provide help and support regarding their medical and psychological needs. As a parent, look for the silent signs, since most teens will not express what they are suffering from emotionally.
Below are the different silent signs to watch out:
- Look for abnormal weight changes; this is one of the indicative signs of an eating disorder. Teens should reasonably add weight, and when they start losing it, you need to start investigating. The best and effective way to know an eating disorder is when you notice a significant weight loss. When you see an unexplained drop in weight, it seems there is a change in eating patterns.
- Most teens will start skipping family meals. The meals are supposed to encourage eating, and when avoided, there is a problem. Look for signs whereby the child will insist that they will eat with their friends and not with other family members. They will also state that their favorite foods are no longer healthy. Most of the teen eating disorders include being cautious of the food portion and selective of what they eat.
- Teens have the habit of coming up with a personalized meal and diet plan. It is a clear indication that they are looking for an eating plan to motivate them to lose weight. They will start avoiding food from home, search for cases for binge eating or bulimia.
- Look for increased in physical activities, and compulsive exercise. It is not guaranteed but can be an indication of an eating disorder. They will start working out, and then it becomes extreme to compensate for the weight they need to lose. Start them of yoga exercise to boost their self-esteem and still have self-esteem.
- Most teens are focused on their appearance. They will start by being always in the mirror and interested in checking their weight all the time. It should be a cause for alarm. Teens intend to be self-conscious about their bodies, wearing baggy clothes, and avoiding the beach.
In case you have a teen suffering from an eating disorder, visit Pacific Teen Treatment for specialized care. They offer unique treatment to their clients who might be suffering from depression, trauma, technology addiction, and anxiety. The institution uniquely handles each patient; their code of conduct is that patients are different. Treating teen with binge eating disorder does not have a standard formula.
They offer a customized and tailored way of treatment for all the residents. The treatment involves different factors to help the teenagers cope well with the disorder. They have different approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and individual talk therapy.
For any teen to cope with the eating disorder, it is imperative to educate them on healthy nutrition. The challenge will be to ship the relationship they have with food; unfortunately, that is the best way to fight the disorder. It is advisable to work with a nutritionist to get the best treatment plan. It is crucial to introduce healthy methods for the teenager’s life. It involves a solid foundation for all the healthy activities and their hobbies even after recovery.
At PTT, they have developed a plan to have their residents participate in different relaxation methods like yoga and meditation. They incorporate it with regular physical exercises. The institution believes that with proper treatment, the teen can recover from the eating disorder and live a healthy and fulfilling life.
When you notice the above-stated signs, it is the responsibility of the parent to get your girl checked out. It could be an indication for an eating disorder, look for a doctor or an expert. You should start with a physical examination or assessment, and if they get the diagnosis, look for a professional for further evaluation.
In as much as teens need medical attention and assistance, every family needs a health treatment. The recommendation is to be cautious of how the teens live their lives. Look for any changes in the lifestyle and seek help as fast as possible. When one member of the family suffers, the whole family is affected. For maximum health benefits, ensure you work closely with all the members and support them during the rough patch.
Teen shy away from asking help; therefore when you notice a teen suffering from any mental situation, be ready to support and assist them. Teach them how to ask for help and how they can healthily manage their health.