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Eating disorders
Not harmless teenage illnesses
Eating disorders: not harmless teenage diseases
Do you suspect that your child is suffering from an eating disorder? Anorexia, binge eating or binge eating disorder are serious conditions that need to be treated. A disorder often begins during puberty. The consequences can be severe organ damage or even fatal. Learn here where to find professional help if your child is affected.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders usually begin between the ages of 14 and 25, sometimes even earlier. Young girls and women are affected significantly more often than boys and men. Thoughts often revolve around the topic of food for hours on end. The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia (binge eating) and binge eating. But mixed forms also occur.
What are the types of eating disorders?
Eating disorders occur in different forms. Three clinical pictures are distinguished:
In anorexia, being thin and controlling one's own eating behavior are at the center of one's thoughts and actions. Sufferers have a panic fear of gaining weight and feel too fat, even if they are already underweight. This leads to strict fasting and not infrequently to extreme physical exercise. The disease is usually denied by those affected.
Bulimia often occurs in conjunction with anorexia. Sufferers suffer from bouts of ravenous hunger and eat unusually large quantities of calorie-containing foods in a short period of time, which they otherwise forbid themselves. To avoid gaining weight, they induce vomiting themselves, take laxatives or other medications.
In binge eating disorder, those affected also suffer from regular cravings. They give in to the cravings without restraint. Thus, binge eating often leads to high obesity.
What are the warning signs of an eating disorder?
Signs that point to an eating disorder in your child cannot always be recognized at first glance, as the transitions are often fluid. Warning signs may include:
Excessive preoccupation with food
.
Frequent calorie counting
.
A division into "allowed" and "forbidden" foods
.
Negative comments about one's appearance and figure
.
Frequent weight checks
Underweight due to severe weight loss
.
Excuses for not having to attend main meals
.
Homemade meals
Increasing performance orientation
Extreme athletic pursuits
Social withdrawal to the point of isolation
The dangerous thing is: eating disorders are often concealed for a long time by those affected. It may therefore be that you do not notice a disease of your child at first. However, the earlier the disease is detected, the better the prospects of recovery.
Why do eating disorders occur more frequently during puberty?
A lot of things come together during puberty: It is generally a phase of personal insecurity and self-doubt. During this time, the appearance changes a lot. It may be that the rounder body shapes negatively affect your child's eating behavior. People affected by eating disorders often have low self-esteem and a negative attitude toward their body self-image. Mental health issues can also be triggers.
What are the health consequences of eating disorders?
Permanent starvation leads to nutrient deficiency. This undersupply can result in various health problems: These include low blood pressure, fainting spells, low blood sugar levels, hormonal disturbances, cycle disturbances up to the absence of menstruation in girls, kidney dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias. Since the disease takes a chronic course in most cases, seeking therapeutic help is important.
Out of the eating disorder: What can you do as a parent?
If an eating disorder is present, as with other illnesses, professional help is needed from doctors, psychotherapists and/or psychologists. As a parent, it is especially important to look and address the issue without reproach. You can support your child and, through your involvement, help him or her seek and accept medical or therapeutic help.
Treatment options primarily include outpatient or (partial) inpatient therapy services. For some sufferers, it can be helpful to additionally seek out self-help groups. The first step, however, always includes the insight to recognize one's own behavior as an illness and to want to get help. You as parents are particularly important companions in this situation. Always seek the conversation and offer your loving support.
Where can you find counseling services?
For a first contact, there are many counseling centers in North Rhine-Westphalia. There, you as a parent can get information if you are worried about your child's eating behavior. The specially trained professionals will advise you in person, on the phone or online. All consultations are free of charge. The counselors are bound by confidentiality.
In quite a few cities and districts in North Rhine-Westphalia, specialists from different areas of the help system have joined forces with the aim of improving offers of prevention and help for people with eating disorders. For those affected and their relatives, the local or regional networking initiatives provide active support and assistance. An overview of the existing networks with their respective contact persons can be found on the map of networking initiatives for eating disorders in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The info. telephone to Essstörungen of the Federal center for health clearing-up (BZgA) offers under the telephone number 0221 892031 an Erstberatung by specialists and calls approach places in residential proximity.
The self-help organization ANAD provides extensive information about eating disorders and offers counseling to parents via chat, video, telephone or e-mail.
The women's counseling centers in North Rhine-Westphalia advise girls and young women free of charge and in a protected setting. Here you can find an overview of the women's counseling centers in NRW.
