Eating Disorders
Types of eating disorders
Eating disorders are common conditions that can affect anyone – boys, girls, men, and women. These disorders lead to changes in eating habits that can be serious and even life threatening. If your older child or teen has an eating disorder, he or she may be best treated by a teen eating disorder specialist. There are three main types of eating disorders:
- Anorexia nervosa (anorexia) – Anorexia is characterized by a refusal to eat enough to maintain health. It is a complex disorder, but it generally occurs in response to a fear of becoming fat.
- Bulimia nervosa (bulimia) – Bulimia is characterized by over-eating followed by vomiting or using laxatives to prevent weight gain. The eating/vomiting cycle is often referred to as a binge/purge cycle.
- Binge eating – Binge eating is characterized by quickly eating large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia, it is not usually followed by purging.
Some children have more than one eating disorder or have symptoms of more than one. A child with anorexia may have bouts of binging and purging, and a child with bulimia may go through periods of not eating or not eating enough.
Anorexia is the most common type, and it tends to develop in young teens. The median age of onset is between 12 and 13 years; however, any eating disorder can develop in people of any age. All eating disorders are more common in girls and women. Experts estimate that between 5 and 15 percent of people who have anorexia and bulimia are male, and about 35 percent of people who have binge eating disorder are male.
Eating disorders rarely occur alone. Most people who have an eating disorder also have a mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorder, or substance abuse disorder.
Signs, causes, and risks
Treatment options and interventions
Eating disorders don’t just go away on their own. No one can simply stop the eating disorder just because someone tells them to or they want to.
All children with eating disorders will need some sort of treatment, both for their physical health and their mental health. Treatments are easier and more effective the earlier they are begun. So, if you notice any signs or symptoms of an eating disorder in your child, seek professional help. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Go with your gut. If you think your child needs help, he or she probably does.
Treatments for eating disorders vary depending upon the type of disorder and the associated symptoms, among other things.
What to do if your child has an eating disorder
If you suspect an eating disorder, talk with your child – and your child’s pediatrician. Make sure you child knows you are worried and you care. A non-judgmental approach is most effective. Children with eating disorders may believe that they aren’t good enough or that they aren’t loved or liked as they are. It’s important not to get angry, but instead to approach your child with compassion and concern.
Eating disorders are serious. Children can die from the effects of eating disorders if they do not get effective treatment. If you even suspect your child might have an eating disorder, seek treatment from an eating disorder specialist right away. People with eating disorders can become quite skilled at hiding their eating habits and other signs of their conditions, so parents must be vigilant.
Hough Center for Adolescent Health
The Corewell Health Hough Center for Adolescent Health uses a collaborative, "no blame" approach that involves you and your child, providing you with techniques to navigate the daily recovery process. Each adolescent is encouraged and empowered to take an active role in his or her recovery. Call 248.594.3142 to set up an appointment for your child.
To speak with an eating disorders specialist at the Hough Center for Adolescent Health, call 248.594.3142. For a referral to other Corewell Health physicians who treat eating disorders, call 855.480.5437 (KIDS) or find one online.