Signs Your Teen May Have

an Eating Disorder

Beth Tiras, MA, LMFT

We all want to help our family and friends when we know they are struggling, when we know they are in pain.  But sometimes it is difficult to know when that time is; and sometimes they do their best to keep it a secret.  Sometimes we are unaware of what the problem is, or the signs we should be looking for. 

Eating Disorders have been sweeping across the nation at epidemic proportions, and it is likely that someone you know has one.  Anorexia nervosa is where one starves themselves and tends to think they are overweight when in actuality they are underweight.  Bulimia is when people tend to binge and then purge through vomiting, exercise, or laxatives.  In Binge Eating Disorder, people eat large amounts of foods often (not just on Thanksgiving), but unlike people with bulimia, they do nothing to "get rid of" the food.  A newer eating disorder is called orthorexia, which is characterized by an obsession with "clean" foods, and "healthy" foods, to the point that one will not eat anything else, which can lead to malnutrition.  All of these begin to interfere with your daily life.

One of the largest and most dangerous myths about eating disorders is that you can tell if a person has an eating disorder just by looking at them.  This is often not the case.   People with eating disorders can be of any size.

So what are some signs of eating disorders?

• Seems concerned about eating in front of people
• Skips meals or eats unusually small (or excessively large) portions at meal
• Goes straight to the bathroom after each meal
• Develops food rituals (e.g., eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rear­ranging food on a plate, excessive condiments like mustard or hot sauce)
• Becomes socially isolative
• Considers "fat" a feeling
• Distorted body image
• Body weight varies from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity
• Shows unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
• Hides body with baggy clothes
• Consistently makes excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food
• Steals or hoards food in strange places
• Begins to label food as "good" or "bad"

A person should not be blamed for having an eating disorder.  It is an illness with many variables that cause it.  But act quickly, because early intervention is linked to recovery.  Your child will not just "get over it".  Speak calmly and address your concerns.  Contact your doctor to make sure there are not health issues causing it.  And contact an eating disorder professional. 

Beth Tiras is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, self harm behaviors, and struggles with mood and behavior.  She is accepting new clients at the La Mesa office of Roots & Wings Consulting and can be reached at 619.750.8024 or by email at BethTiras@gmail.com

**February 26th- March 3rd is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The San Diego Chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) is hosting a free community event on Wednesday February 29th, screening the film Miss Representation. The film explores how the media's misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. There will be a panel discussion following the film.  Click Here For More Information

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