Tips for Parents & Educators on Eating Disorders

Maintaining a healthy self-image can be difficult for teenagers. The combination of their changing bodies, media images and other factors can lead them to think that their bodies should be different, better somehow. Eating disorders aren’t necessarily tied to weight, although many who struggle with them focus on weight.

People who have an eating disorder face health risks like heart conditions and kidney failure, in addition to psychiatric problems like depression and other mental disorders. Their body image and low self-esteem can affect their ability to make and maintain friendships and other close relationships. There are three common types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

Topics

Anorexia Nervosa

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:

  • Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height
  • Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight
  • Denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight
  • Infrequent or absent menstrual periods (in females who have reached puberty)

Teens struggling with anorexia often seem thin and may compare their appearance unfavorably with their peers. While they may be thinner than others, their body doesn’t look slim to them. When they compare themselves with people heavier than them with healthy body weights, they may like the way the other person looks.

Bulimia Nervosa

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:

  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterized by eating an excessive amount of food within a short period of time and by a sense of lack of control over eating during those times
  • Self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications (purging); fasting; or excessive exercise
  • Binge eating and other behaviors occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months

People with bulimia usually weigh within the normal range for their age and height. However, like people with anorexia, they may fear gaining weight, desire to lose weight, and feel intensely dissatisfied with their bodies.

People with bulimia often perform the behaviors in secrecy, feeling disgusted and ashamed when they binge, yet relieved once they purge.

Binge Eating

Only recently recognized as an eating disorder, symptoms of binge eating are similar to bulimia. However, the people who binge eat may not feel the need to purge. While certainly not a rule, binge eaters may be overweight as a result of their binges. Serious emotional or physiological issues may cause the disorder.

Treatment

Identifying and treating eating disorders quickly is very important. The earlier they are detected, the better the treatment outcomes are likely to be. Treatment for eating disorders usually requires a long-term treatment plan, psychological therapy, nutritional counseling and, when necessary, medication. Maintaining a healthy weight, eliminating unhealthy eating habits and treating the underlying causes for low self-esteem and poor body image are all a part of achieving long-term remission or full recovery from eating disorders. If you think your child or someone you know has an eating disorder, contact a behavioral healthcare professional. If you are in Tennessee, call 1-888-291-HELP or visit www.centerstone.org.