Teenager Issue

Eating disorders are a mental illness. They can affect women and men of all age groups, from a range of backgrounds and from different cultures. Despite an increase in the incidence and understanding of eating disorders, many people live with these disorders for a long time without treatment or a clinical diagnosis.

Female adolescents and young women are most commonly affected, but men can be also be affected by eating disorders. It is estimated that approximately one in every 100 adolescent girls will develop anorexia nervosa and approximately five in 100 adolescent girls develop bulimia.

Signs and symptoms
Some habits and behaviours are common to people with eating disorders. They include:

• Weight loss or weight change, usually due to dieting, but sometimes from an illness or stressful situation.
• Preoccupation with body appearance or weight.
• Loss or disturbance of menstrual periods in females.
• Sensitivity to cold.
• Faintness, dizziness and fatigue.
• Increased mood changes and irritability.
• Social withdrawal.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Inability to think rationally or concentrate.
• Increased interest in preparing food for others.
• Obsessive rituals, like only drinking out of a certain cup.
• Wearing baggy clothes or changes in clothing style.
• Excessive or fluctuating exercise patterns.
• Avoidance of social situations involving food.
• Frequent excuses not to eat.
• Disappearance of large amounts of food.
• Trips to the bathroom after meals.
• Dieting.

• Media and other presentations of the ‘ideal’ shape as slim and fit.
• Mixed messages about health and fast food.
• Pressure to achieve and succeed.
• Occupations or pursuits with an emphasis on body shape and size – for example, modeling or gymnastics.

• Major life changes or events such as adolescence, relationship breakdowns, childbirth, the death of a loved one, or the accumulation of many minor stressors.
• Fear of the responsibilities of adulthood.
• A belief that love is dependent on high achievement.
• Poor communication between family members.

• Adolescence and its associated physical changes.
• Genetic or familial factors.

• Be honest and open about your concerns.
• Use ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ statements. For example, ‘I am concerned for you because I have noticed you are not so happy at the moment’ rather than, ‘You aren’t happy at the moment’.
• Focus on the person’s behavioural changes, rather than their weight, food consumption or physical appearance.
• Try to take the focus off food and weight. The person with the eating disorder is already likely to be excessively focused on food and weight issues.
• Mealtimes should not be a battleground. Frustrations and emotions need to be expressed but not at mealtimes, which are already likely to be difficult.
• Do things as you usually would. The person with the eating disorder needs to learn to co-exist with food and other people, rather than others learning to co-exist with the eating disorder.