Eating disorders are never a good thing for a person’s emotions or health, but in adolescents, they are particularly troubling. As an adolescent’s body and brain grows and develops from child to adult, what happens to their bodies during this time period will affect them for life. But because adolescence is the time period where addicting behaviors form and are more likely to stay, such as negative eating habits, it’s imperative that treatment for what’s healthy needs to begin.
Negative Bodily Effects
Adolescents do not understand or realize that their eating disorders are detrimental to their long-term health. Therefore, it falls to their parents or caregivers to notice any major changes happening. Physical signs are the easiest to see, which include, but are not limited to insomnia, either skin rashes or overly dry skin, dental cavities, erosion of tooth, loss of hair, and others. Less noticeable are the mental ones: displaying a distorted body image, skipping most meals, or having unusual eating habits, hyperactivity, extreme interest in exercise, and others. Getting the adolescents into treatment early is the best way to prevent these from becoming lifelong problems.
Why Adolescents Develop Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can come about from a variety of reasons, but all seem to tie into how the adolescent views him/herself. Having a negative self-image is the number one reason why eating disorders develop. However, it’s not the only reason. Bullying, peer pressure, and doing a sport where a certain type of body image is desired – such as dancing, and gymnastics – often contribute as well. In addition, when there are multiple pressures, it is more likely that treatment will eventually become necessary to help the adolescent realize that the pressures they see as insurmountable really aren’t.
Treatment
Treatment for eating disorders are not easy, but is doable. It involves a two-prong approach – treating the mind as well as the body. If the physical condition alone is treated through monitoring food intake and medical examinations, then upon release the adolescent will go right back to their self-destructive habits. Teaching and psychological counseling is imperative to help the adolescent break the chains that hold them to their dangerous ways and bring them back to health once again.
Therefore, to give any teen the help that he or she needs, turn to Adolescent Growth here in Los Angeles. We can help them grow into the adult they were meant to become.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder and are having difficulty addressing the problem head on, please contact Adolescent Growth for the proper support and guidance.