Eating Disorders
Some people wrongly believe an eating disorder is a lifestyle choice. It is not. An eating disorder is a serious but treatable mental health and physical illness.
In fact, eating disorders can affect anyone but the most affected are females between the ages of 10 and 25 years old. If your child's desire to eat less or more food has grown out of control they may have an eating disorder. If they are overly concerned about their outward appearance they may have an eating disorder.
An eating disorder can have life threatening consequences. The earlier it is treated, the higher the chance of recovery. Irregular eating habits can be defined as altered behaviour that results in inadequate or excessive intake of food.
Some Interesting Facts:
- The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia
- 90% of eating disorder cases occur in teenagers and young adults
- Of those children who struggle with anorexia, 75% are female
- Women with anorexia are 10 times more likely to die than same aged women without
- 50% of teenagers admit to using unhealthy ways to control their weight
- Bulimia & binge eating disorders can run in families
- Therapy has been found to be very effective against treatments such as prescribed drugs
- Fewer than 30% of those struggling with an eating disorder seek help
- Many people with an eating disorder abuse or will abuse alcohol or drugs
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With An Eating Disorder
- Behavioural Signs
- Skipping meals
- Dieting
- Picking eating
- Always talking about their weight
- Stomach cramps
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Yellow skin
- Dramatic fluctuation in weight
- Wants to eat alone
- Doesn’t want to eat with everyone else
- Restricted portions
- Always checking their weight
How Therapy Can Help
- Free your child of their eating disorder symptoms
- Reduce your child's preoccupation with food
- Introduce the acceptance towards having a healthy weight
- Developing their self-esteem
- Have a good body image
- Learn to deal with emotions in a positive way
- Develop social skills