Eating disorders, such as Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating and others are complex medical illnesses that commonly appear during adolescence and young adulthood which make it crucial to spot the warning signs early on. Some of these are:
- Frequent comments about appearance / weight
- Changes in eating patterns such as skipping meals, eating small portions / very big portions, overall restrictive food intake, calorie tracking…
- Engaging in compensatory behaviors such as excessive exercise, vomiting, using laxatives…
- Remarkable change in weight
Eating disorders can have serious physical, mental and psychosocial effects. Some of the medical concerns are rapid weight change, low blood pressure, hormone changes and others. Some of the psychosocial effects are social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
If your child is showing signs of eating disorders, first, remember that a person does not choose to develop an eating disorder and that they need your help. A combined treatment is highly required: medical management, nutritional counseling, and psychological interventions. Remember that family and specifically parents are a critical component of recovery. Your consistent support is crucial.
