It can be mentally and emotionally challenging to witness your teenager struggle with an eating disorder. Many parents may feel helpless and unsure of what to do. Some parents may even blame themselves. If this is something you and your teen are going through, know that no one is at fault here. There are many ways to best support your teenager through eating disorder recovery.
By: Anna Capetola
Eating disorders are complex medical and mental illnesses, meaning they are not a choice. They are caused by a combination of social, emotional, psychological, and biological factors. To help paint a clearer picture, your teen’s genetics may put them at risk for developing an eating disorder, and their environment may increase the risk and exacerbate the problem.
Eating disorders can be tricky for parents to navigate, but watching out for warning signs and symptoms can be a helpful step in prevention. The symptoms will look different depending on the type of eating disorder. Generally speaking, try to pay attention to how often your teen is thinking about food, appearance, and weight. Notice if they are persistently worried about gaining weight, frequently looking at themselves in the mirror, skipping meals, or refusing to eat. Check in to see if they are using laxatives, herbal supplements, or diuretics after eating. Listen if they express feelings of disgust, sadness, or guilt about their eating habits. Be mindful if they are eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting repeatedly, vomiting after meals, or if they are losing a significant amount of weight.
Another important step involved in prevention is establishing open communication with your teen. Having conversations about body image and eating behaviors is normal. Within these conversations, try to listen to what your teen is telling you. Use supportive language and discuss your teen’s social environment. Talk about what is happening in school, extracurricular activities, and what they are exposed to on social media. The media is full of unrealistic expectations related to appearance and body image, so remind your teen to question what they have seen or heard. Pay attention to the emotions that come up for your teen. Sometimes it can be helpful to think back to when you were a teenager and remind yourself of the different everyday stressors teens encounter. Try to promote their self-esteem by acknowledging their accomplishments not related to body, weight, or appearance. Additionally, be mindful of your own relationship towards food and your body and how it might impact your teen’s values and beliefs.
If you suspect that your teen is suffering from an eating disorder, do not be afraid to reach out for help. Asking for help is not an indication that you have failed at supporting your child. Acknowledging that more help is necessary shows your strength and desire to support your teen. If you are unsure of where to turn to first, it can be helpful to speak with your teen’s primary care physician. It can also be helpful to look into clinicians that specialize in eating disorder treatment. Most treatment programs conduct initial intake assessments that analyze current symptoms, eating disorder history, family systems, relationship to food and body, and potential triggers or barriers. This information can help determine what the next steps are for your teen’s treatment and recovery from their eating disorder.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. Book a 90-minute assessment where our Admissions Team will connect with both the parent and their teen in the Admissions process. Both the parent and teen will have the opportunity to meet with the Admissions therapist individually and then together.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below or read more about our philosophy here.
Looking for eating disorder treatment programs or services in the New York City area? Learn more about our options at BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™ here or contact us here.
This post was written by BALANCE Social Work Intern, Anna Capetola (she/her).
Anna is a second-year graduate student at New York University pursuing her Master’s in Social Work. She completed her undergraduate education at Quinnipiac University, majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. She previously worked for Vibrant Emotional Health, formerly known as The Mental Health Association of NYC, where she conducted assessments, provided short-term counseling, and offered crisis intervention services to individuals who were struggling with an array of mental health and substance use concerns. Anna also has experience working with the Traumatic Brain Injury population, as well as individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is devoted to learning about the mind-body connection, health, and overall wellness. She is deeply passionate about eating disorder awareness and recovery. Anna believes everyone has the right to feel supported, accepted, understood, valued, and cared for.
