Do you ever find yourself saying something like, “I think I’ve just gained 3 pounds from eating that piece of cake” or “I’m going to have to exercise the next few days to work off that meal.”  We hear this everywhere in normal conversation without thinking anything of it. And while I am not trying to say that saying things like these could trigger an eating disorder for someone, society's emphasis on appearance and being thin can have an unhealthy effect on our self-image.

It's one thing to want to be fit and healthy, but it's another to be obsessed with the idea that there is no rest until a certain weight goal is reached or to use food as a coping mechanism. Eating disorders are a huge deal among teens (both females and males), often with accompanying mental issues, and I’d like to discuss a few of these conditions with our teenDailyStrength members because bottom line, when identified, they need immediate attention and treatment to prevent medical consequences-- consequences that include hospitalization and even death.  

So in no particular order: 

• Anorexia: more prevalent among adolescents where starving is the underlying component.  Excessive exercise, purging and even laxative use/abuse often occur as well.  And while one’s body weight may say otherwise, the mind says he/she is fat.  Beyond the many physical ailments that may follow... heart-related issues, hormonal changes, seizures, the numbers also state 1 in 10 persons with anorexia will ultimately die... a number I find staggering.

 

• Bulimia: often seen in older teenagers (college students) where an extremely low body weight is not so telling as you will often see a wide range of weights: from normal weight to even obese individuals.  Binge eating typically occurs with a sense of no control and then vomiting (AKA purging) occurs afterward (often using an agent to help with the vomiting). These events may occur just a couple of times a week or even a few times a day and those with bulimia may suffer from ulcers, pancreatitis and dehydration.  

 

• Binge eating: similar to bulimia but without the vomiting.  Although still not yet recognized as an official psychological disorder, it does appear to affect men and women at the same rates.  Guilt typically follows a binge eating event which often perpetuates the cycle of binge eating.  Some of the complications include diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

 

So if you know a friend who you suspect may have a eating disorder, please, please approach them in a supportive manner and lead them gently to open up about their problem so appropriate intervention and treatment can be established (e.g. psychotherapy, family counseling and, of course, nutritional guidance). But be sensitive to their feelings-- often your friend may be going through much more, but isn’t telling you.

And if you yourself suspect you may have an eating disorder, don’t be afraid to reach out to the person you trust the most to let them know. This act could save your life.

Dr. Jeremy