An eating disorder can be about weight, or it can be a cry for help. Find out how you can identify eating disorders and other weight issues.
Types
The three most common types of eating disorders are anorexia (self-starvation), bulimia (eating and then purging the meal immediately after), and binge eating (binge eating without purging later).
Significance
In 2008, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) estimated that ten percent of all teenagers suffer from an eating disorder; anorexia nervosa and bulimia were the most common.
Identification
Anorexic teens may exercise excessively, use diuretics, or abuse laxatives to shed pounds. Both bulimic and binge eaters resort to ; however, only bulimic teens end by purging the meal. Teens who binge will do so about two days a week for six months and will not purge, exercise or fast between binges.
Considerations
The CalTech Counseling Center reminds us that eating disorders, especially anorexia, can signal a teen's need to control something in her life, and warns that attempts to coerce a teen into eating may backfire as they may see the attempt as a move for control.
Warning
The Anxiety Disorder Association of America warns these eating disorders can "co-morbid" with other psychological disorders, and the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports that 20 percent of sufferers will die without proper treatment.
Prevention/Solution
Support groups, school nurses, doctors, and psychologists can help teens who are dealing with an eating disorder. For support, contact the NEDA helpline at (800) 931-2237.
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