Everyone imagines the teen years to be full of fun, friends, and good times. While we might be prepared for a little bit of angst and personal strife, no one is prepared for the intensity of a battle with teen eating disorders. Yet more than 50% of teens and young adults report struggling with their relationship to food. So let’s talk about it. In this blog, we’re getting real about the impact of orthorexia, anorexia, bulimia and body image on teens.
The teen years of life contain many changes socially, emotionally, and body-wise. These changes can be overwhelming and getting through them can present a number of challenges. For some teens, any route to regaining a sense of power in their lives can become a crutch that helps them cope with the often overwhelming feelings that define this life stage. Eating disorders, despite their risks, can offer an alluring opportunity to regain the control they need over a rapidly expanding, contracting and changing sense of self and the world.
As the world has become more intense and unpredictable in recent years, the number of teens with eating disorders has doubled. Statistics show that 10 in 100 teen girls suffer from disordered eating. It affects both genders, though is often reported more in girls.
To get a better understanding of what teens who struggle with eating disorders may face, let’s take a closer look at the different types of eating disorders, and how to spot the signs. We’ll outline the mental health impact so you can learn how to support your teens without risking parental alienation.
An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people of all ages and genders. It is characterized by a persistent disturbance in eating or eating-related behavior that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food, which can lead to physical and emotional health problems.
Eating disorders usually begin in adolescence and are often accompanied by intense fear, anxiety, and distress about body shape or weight. Disordered eating can be associated with various other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, or substance abuse disorders. Despite being one of the most common psychiatric disorders, eating disorders are often misunderstood because they can be difficult to recognize or treat.
Fortunately, early intervention and proper support make recovery from an eating disorder possible.
There are a few different types of eating disorders that affect teens. Three of the most common types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and orthorexia nervosa.
People who suffer from aanorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight. They often have a distorted body image and will have a hard time maintaining a healthy weight. There are two subtypes of anorexia: restricting and binge eating type. People with the restricting type will have a very low caloric intake, while the binge eating type will binge and purge. The binging type may consist of behavior like self-induced vomiting, compulsive exercising, abuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:
Bulimia consists of episodes of binge eating and purging at least once a week for three months or more. Purging may involve self-induced vomiting, compulsive exercising, laxative use, insulin misuse, or abuse of diet pills. Sufferers generally have a negative body image and may also struggle with self-injury, substance abuse, or impulsivity.
Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:
Orthorexia is a disorder that doesn’t get as much attention as others. It is often not mentioned because it is not recognized as a standalone disorder in the DSM-V. Orthorexia is defined as an extreme focus on healthy eating. People who battle with this disorder may have issues with obsessive-compulsive disorder or perfectionism. They also may have been raised in a home with a strong focus on healthy eating. It usually starts with going vegan or attempting to eliminate foods like saturated fats, but eventually, it will cause the elimination of too many food groups. This can lead to malnutrition and extreme weight loss, even though weight loss isn’t always the goal.
Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:
If you suspect your teen has an eating disorder, difficult (and often complicated) conversations are in order. Even though eating disorders and parental alienation may go hand in hand due to the invasive nature of food relationships, it is better to act sooner rather than later. Short-term tension with your teen will help to avoid serious health risks.
Approach your teen lovingly and understandingly so they will feel comfortable discussing the issue. Make sure to express your concerns without accusations, as they will most likely deny the claims. Talk with their primary care doctor to get recommendations for the next steps, such as seeing a dietician or receiving any necessary treatment for health issues that have already shown up.
Having your teen see a therapist for professional mental health help is an essential part of helping them regain a sense of power in their lives. Getting to the root of the problem is a big step towards healing. Pure Health Center offers counseling for teens, and we are fully committed to providing your teen with a safe space for healing and growth. If you are in the Chicago area, contact us to schedule an appointment.
