Dangers of Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Female Teens
2014-10-24 22:01:54 CPCC Blogging Team
Eating disorders and disordered eating are two of the biggest problems for teen girls in today’s society. With pressure to be the perfect size, many girls turn to eating disorders to fit in. Knowing the signs of disordered eating and eating disorders and how to help can be the difference between life and death in young women.
Many people only consider eating disorders to be a problem, and do not think about disordered eating. Disordered eating is eating in a way that could lead to physical or psychological harm, and can even grow into an eating disorder. Most disordered eating habits come from the desire to lose or to control weight, or as a way to help manage emotions.
Eating disorders are psychological disorders that include extreme disturbances in a person’s eating behavior. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two of the most common eating disorders among teen girls. People with anorexia try to control their weight by severely limiting the amount of food they eat each day. People with bulimia repeatedly binge eat and then follow up by vomiting or using laxatives to help them stay at a low, unhealthy weight.
There are many warning signs for eating disorders and disordered eating to look for, including:
- Extreme obsession about being overweight.
- Strict dieting guidelines.
- Out of control feelings.
- Depressed moods.
- Quickly leaving after meals.
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- Excessive exercising.
There are many different treatments that are available for eating disorders and disordered that tend to work best if used in combination of each other. Typical treatments include antidepressant medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, medical monitoring, and psychological treatment.
For more resources about disordered eating and eating disorders, contact Community Presbyterian Counseling Center in San Ramon, California. We are available for all of your counseling needs through this tough time to ensure that you and your family stay strong.
Mental Health