The good news is that they are<\/em> treatable. If you\u2019re worried your teen may be struggling with an eating disorder, it\u2019s normal to feel confused and scared. While it takes courage to acknowledge there might be a problem, it\u2019s a crucial step that might save your teen\u2019s life. The more you know about eating disorders, the easier it\u2019ll be to understand what they are going through and how to help them cope.<\/p> There are different types of eating disorders<\/a>, and most people who suffer from an eating disorder also suffer from anxiety and\/or depression<\/a>, making treatment more complex.<\/p> Learn more about the types of anxiety, the symptoms, and how to provide support for your teen.<\/p> The most common eating disorders include: <\/p> People with anorexia severely limit their calories and the foods they eat. There are two subtypes of anorexia: restrictive anorexia, which foods or calories are restricted, and a binge-purge subtype. In this subtype, people restrict food and calories, but also have episodes of binging and purging.<\/p> Bulimia includes episodes of binge-eating followed by self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, or over-exercising to compensate for binging.<\/p> Binge-eating disorder (BED) \u2014 the most common eating disorder among Americans \u2014 is characterized by eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, past the point of feeling full. Unlike with bulimia, there\u2019s no purging with BED.<\/p> There\u2019s no one specific cause of eating disorders. But research has found the following are risk factors for developing an eating disorder:<\/p> Eating disorders have the highest death rate of any mental disorder. Anorexia, especially, has a high mortality rate<\/a>, with the added risk<\/a> of dying from starvation and an increased likelihood of suicide*.<\/p> The calorie restriction that characterizes anorexia robs the body of fuel, the depletion of necessary electrolytes is a common sign of bulimia. Both can signal the body to start breaking down, leading to severe health problems, such as:<\/p> There\u2019s not one checklist of symptoms that will tell you if your teen is struggling with an eating disorder, because these aren\u2019t one-size-fits-all illnesses. Different disorders look different in different people. <\/p> And since these disorders are often accompanied by secretive behavior and feelings of shame and guilt, it can be hard to know exactly what\u2019s going on with your teen\u2019s eating patterns.<\/p> Even so, there are some signs to look for and pay attention to. Some can be seen in many disorders, and some are specific to certain disorders.<\/p> Someone battling an eating disorder might:<\/p> The National Eating Disorder Association\u2019s site\u00a0 has a lengthy and detailed list of possible symptoms<\/a>, including specific symptoms for each disorder.<\/p> <\/p> If your teen is displaying symptoms like these, or you\u2019re worried about a difference in their eating behaviors or patterns, encourage them to take NEDA\u2019s Eating Disorder Screening Tool<\/a> \u2014 a short questionnaire that will help you determine if it\u2019s time to see a licensed therapist or psychologist. If it is, a counselor will evaluate their symptoms, eating habits, and gather information based on their history.<\/p> Treatment will depend on the disorder and the severity, but usually involves both psychological and nutritional counseling, along with medical and psychiatric monitoring. Since eating disorders can potentially put their life in danger, it\u2019s vital to seek professional help immediately, so your teen can be diagnosed and begin treatment.<\/p> Bringing up the issue of eating disorders with your teen might feel intimidating. But you can\u2019t help them if you don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on \u2014 and they need to know they can count on you. Here\u2019s a guide to broaching the topic.<\/p> Make sure you\u2019re away from distractions and noisy surroundings. Keep your voice gentle, calm, and reassuring. Don\u2019t interrupt: they need your undivided attention and unconditional love.<\/p> Frame your concerns around their behavior <\/em>rather than their appearance. Remarking on weight, weight loss, or how they look can backfire. Use \u201cI\u201d statements that avoid blame or judgment: \u201cI noticed you haven\u2019t eaten much at dinner lately. Is everything okay?\u201d<\/p> Many young people with eating disorders work hard to hide their behavior. When you confront them \u2014 no matter how gently \u2014 they may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or that their privacy has been violated. And they may lash out. <\/p> Stay centered, try not to become defensive, and don\u2019t take their reaction personally. Even if it\u2019s directed at you, it has nothing to do with you.<\/p> If your teen has an eating disorder, you might experience a whole range of emotions. Often, parents and caregivers feel guilty and blame themselves. They may feel like it\u2019s their fault, or that they somehow caused their young person\u2019s suffering. <\/p> But an eating disorder is an illness, and overthinking about what you could have done differently won\u2019t help. The only thing that matters is supporting your teen as they move towards recovery.<\/p> To do that, you need to take care of yourself, too. Eating disorders can put an incredible strain on families. <\/p> Don\u2019t minimize or dismiss that stress and its consequences. Take time to give yourself the same love and care that you\u2019re giving your teen \u2014 grace, understanding, self-compassion and patience. Some ways to do that:<\/p> If you need help supporting someone with disordered eating, we at BLOOM have put together a list of resources to help your friend or family member.<\/p> National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA):<\/strong> The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness:<\/strong> National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD):<\/strong> Eating Disorder Anonymous:<\/strong> National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline:<\/strong> 1 (800) 950-6264 SAMHSA\u2019s National Helpline:<\/strong> 1 (800) 662-4357 Teen Tribe:<\/strong> ADAA Directory<\/strong>: Suicide\/Crisis Support Hotline:<\/strong> 1 (800) 273\u2011TALK (8255) *If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also reach a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.<\/em><\/p> Parenting can leave you feeling overwhelmed and alone, but at BLOOM you have a team behind you. Access Live and On-Demand Workshops<\/a> led by the experts. Get answers to your most pressing questions through our Ask the Expert Platform<\/a>. Find your village and share ideas in our Community Group<\/a> surrounded by fellow parents and caregivers. Or get personalized coaching in 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions<\/a> tailored to your needs. We know raising tweens and teens is hard – that’s why we created BLOOM to nurture you through the challenges and help you flourish.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are many kinds of eating disorders that can affect children and teens. Learn more about the causes, signs your child might have an eating disorder, and how to help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":175,"featured_media":21853,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,73],"tags":[],"powerkit_post_featured":[],"coauthors":[338],"class_list":{"0":"post-21849","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-healthy-mind","8":"category-mental-illness"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/175"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21849"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21849\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21849"},{"taxonomy":"powerkit_post_featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/powerkit_post_featured?post=21849"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=21849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"teen](\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/EatingDisorderCauses_content-1160x387.jpg\")
<\/figure>The 3 Main Types of Eating Disorders<\/h2>
Anorexia Nervosa<\/h3>
Bulimia Nervosa<\/h3>
Binge-Eating Disorder<\/h3>
What Causes Eating Disorders in Teens?<\/h2>
![\"stethascope](\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/stethascope_content-1160x387.jpg\")
<\/figure>How Serious Are Eating Disorders?<\/h2>
![\"Warning](\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/WarningSigns_content-1160x387.jpg\")
<\/figure>Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders in Teens<\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Caregiver_Teen_Talking_screen.jpg\")
Ready to elevate your parenting? Become a member of the BLOOM family today! <\/h2>\n\n
Gain access to workshops, coaching, and a network of supportive parents. Don\u2019t navigate this journey alone –<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n\n
When to Seek Treatment for Teen Eating Disorders<\/h2>
![\"Supportive](\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/SupportingHands_Content-1160x387.webp\")
<\/figure>How to Support to Your Teen for Eating Disorders <\/h2>
Find a Private Place and Stay Present<\/h3>
Focus on Behavior<\/h3>
Stay Calm<\/h3>
![\"adult](\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/04\/CG_SelfCare_Content-1160x387.jpg\")
<\/figure>Eating Disorders: Make Time For Yourself<\/h2>
<\/ul>
Additional Resources for Teen Eating Disorders<\/h2>
Online chat and support through texting are also available: 1 (800) 931-2237 | www.nationaleatingdisorders.org<\/a><\/p>
www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com<\/a><\/p>
Eating Disorder Helpline: 1 (888) 375-7767 | www.anad<\/a>.<\/a>org<\/a><\/p>
www.Eatingdisordersanonymous.org<\/a><\/p>
Or in crisis text \u201cNAMI\u201d to 741741<\/p>
This helpline is a free, confidential, 24\/7, treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and\/or substance disorders. <\/p>
www.Support.therapytribe.com\/teen-support-group<\/a>
This website provides peer-to-peer group support for teens who go through challenging times. This is a free service.<\/p>
www.Adaa.org\/supportgroups<\/a>
This website allows teens and family members to search support groups in their local area, as well as phone or online groups.<\/p>
Or text the Crisis Text Line \u2013<\/a> \u201cHELLO\u201d to 741741<\/p>