Does my child have an eating disorder? / What are the signs? ~ Price : SGD 0

582 clicks

Advertiser ID : Master	Contact No : 6568176157
Ads Category : Education	Update : 26-08-2021
Website : Does My Child Have An Eating Disorder? / What Are The Signs?	Follow Us :
Location : Singapore

Does my child have an eating disorder? / What are the signs?

What qualifies as an eating disorder

Does my daugther have disordered eating

Does my son have disorderd eating

What is orthorexia

Who is most likely to have an eating disorder

Eating disorders are complex conditions that cause people to develop severely disrupted eating habits. This isn’t just about diet changes or trying to lose a small amount of weight. Eating disorders are mental illnesses that can take over someone’s life and the lives of the people who are closest to them. While it Is true that eating disorders are most common among teenage girls, anyone of any gender, age or background can develop an eating disorder.

People suffering from an eating disorder usually have an obsession about their appearance, weight, and body shape. This causes them to control or restrict their food intake, leading them to make unhealthy choices about food. These unhealthy behaviours can cause long-term psychological and physical problems and can even be fatal.

There are a number of different types of eating disorders, each with their own unique features:

• Anorexia

• Bulimia

• Binge eating disorder (BED)

• Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS)

What are the signs?

The signs and symptoms of eating disorders can vary from person-to-person and also depend on the type of eating disorder. However, if you notice a combination of the following signs in your child, it may be that they have developed, or are starting to develop, an eating disorder.

Behavioural symptoms:

• Compulsive or excessive exercising

• Unusual behaviour around food – insisting on using certain cutlery, cutting food into tiny pieces

• A sudden interest in cooking, but refusing to eat what they have cooked

• Wanting to eat alone or in secret

• Wearing baggy clothes

• Vomiting after eating, or going to the toilet immediately after eating

• Eating large quantities of food without appearing to gain weight

• Repeatedly weighing themselves

• Social isolation

Physical symptoms:

• Abnormally low or high weight

• Long-term weight stagnation

• Exhaustion

• Feeling cold

• Stomach pains

• Dizziness or feeling faint

• Mouth infections

• Sensitive or damaged teeth

• Scars on their fingers, knuckles or the back of their hand from making themselves sick

• Bad breath

Psychological symptoms:

• Being obsessed with appearance and other people’s perception of their body

• Talking about feeling guilty after eating

• Getting stressed at mealtimes

• Low self-esteem

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Anger

• Intense mood swings

• Insomnia

• Panic attacks

• Self-harm

• Suicide thoughts and impulses

What are the next steps to my child’s recovery from their eating disorder?

Talk to your child – ask if they are okay and if there’s anything they want to talk about. If your child doesn’t want to talk to you, encourage them to open up another person that they trust such as another family member or a teacher. Let them know that you’re there to listen and support them.

Take them seriously – it can be difficult to understand why someone with an eating disorder behaves the way they do. Some of them issues around food may seem irrational to you but could be a major source of distress for your child. This is crucial to take them seriously and avoid being critical.

Learn about eating disorders – not only will this help you to understand your child’s behavior but will also mean that you are able to spot the warning signs. It also lets your child know that you care and are there to help.

Stop the body and food talk – we all talk about dieting, body shape and weight, but this can be a very sensitive subject for someone with an eating disorder. Try to steer conversations away from food.

Seek professional help – it is essential that you seek professional help if you think that your child has an eating disorder. Your child will likely need support to prevent their eating disorder from becoming worse. You can visit your GP to talk to through your concerns and worries about your child, and they may refer them to expert treatment.