Eating Disorders

*This page does not address gluttony, a legitimate eating disorder. It only addresses concerns related to anorexia and bulimia.

It is healthy to watch what you eat. It is healthy to exercise. What is not healthy is disliking oneself. It is unhealthy to worry all the time about your weight and what you eat. People with eating disorders do harmful things to their bodies because of their obsession about their weight. If it is not treated, anorexia and bulimia can cause significant health problems.

What Are the Warning Signs?

• Denying that there is anything wrong. “I’m fine.”
• Fainting. “I just felt dizzy.”
• Over-exercising. “I love how I feel after a workout.”
• Refusing to eat or lying about how much was eaten. “I just didn’t like it.” Or, “I’m full.”
• Throwing up after meals. “I just didn’t feel good.”

   
All of them may be honest responses. Serious warning signs may be harder to notice but they include:

• Distinct redness on their hands (from stomach acids when forcing throwing up)
• Fatigue
• Increased anxiety about weight
• Not having regular menstrual cycles
• Significant weight loss

Are You Concerned?  Ask yourself these questions:

Is your teen becoming obsessed with exercise?
Is your teen claiming unreasonably that she/he is too fat?
Is your teen limiting her/his food intake?
Is your teen losing weight?
Is your teen part of a family with a history of eating disorders?

No? If not, great!  Consider the following steps to set a good example of healthy attitudes toward food. Start by asking yourself some hard questions:

Are you always dieting? Needing to lose weight? Talking about how fat you are?
Do you eat when you are bored or stressed?
Do you habitually use diet pills, laxatives, or other diuretics for weight control purposes?
Do you tease or criticize your children saying that they are “too fat” or “too thin?”

To help your children, first assess and correct your own misguided thinking and bad habits.

Yes? If your answers to those questions concern you, a first step might include scheduling a doctor’s appointment. A medical exam will evaluate their physical health and to help assess next steps.

Next steps may include:
- Additional medical care to address present health problems
- In-patient or outpatient treatment, nutrition counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, which provide accountability for them, and support groups for you as the caregiver.

What is at Risk if an Eating Disorder is Left Unaddressed?

• Continued self-destructive thinking and unhealthy coping skills
• Dental problems from throwing up stomach acid
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems
• Stomach problems

Can Eating Disorders Be Treated?

Yes. It most likely will be a challenge to start the recovery process. As quickly as possible teach them the following ABCs of Responsibility.
           
Attitudes – Take responsibility for their thinking
Behaviors – Take responsibility for their choices
Commitments – Take responsibility for their treatment and recovery

Expect some resistance.

Why Do Teens Resist Moving Toward Responsibility?

• They do not see long-term effects of withholding nutrition and proper self-care.
• They fear loss of freedom and autonomy.
• It feels like work.
• Shame – they might fear rejection
• Self-doubt – they might fail or have previous failures to control the eating disorder.

Resources

Books:

• Lock, James. (2005). Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder. The Guilford Press.
• Natenshon, Abigail. (1999). When Your Child Has An Eating Disorder.  Jossey-Bass.

Websites:

The Emily Program - Counseling and treatment for a variety of eating disorders and body image issues.

Melrose Institute of Park Nicollet

The Joy Project - Information about eating disorders and links to various treatment facilities.