Anorexia continues to affect teens at an alarming rate. It is a terrible disorder that is baffling to many who do not understand the psychological reasons behind such a disease. Signs of anorexia can be very subtle. You can be pro-active in helping your teen identify and heal from his or her problem by paying close attention. Here are some things to look for when you are with your teen.
Instructions
1. Keep track of the weight of your teen through gym class or other outlet. When you notice a weight loss, talk to your teen about it. You don't want to be accusatory, and those who are not in crisis will often be able to explain it easily.
2. Beware if your teen is avoiding food and meals on a regular basis. While battling anorexia, may make up excuses as to why they can't join the family for dinner: homework, they already ate, going somewhere, anything that allows them to avoid the situation.
3. Speak to them about any obsessive calorie and fat gram counting. Teens are exhibiting anorexic behavior when they weigh everything they eat and count every calorie or fat gram. It may be easy to shrug this off as if the teen is simply watching what they are eating, but this could be a sign of a serious eating disorder.
4. Curb any anxiety or negative comments about their weight. Your teen may be expressing severe dissatisfaction with their size, and they will verbalize this in putting themselves down. Look for any chance to affirm positive things about their looks, and ask them to draw attention to the beautiful things about themselves.
5. Watch for excessive exercising. Teens who suffer from anorexia do not always exercise, but it is a common sign.
6. Besides weight loss, a teen with anorexia may experience other physical signs such as dehydration and general weakness. Dry skin and hair, often accompanied with hair loss, is also quite common.
Tags: your teen, about their, calorie gram, , weight loss