The number of children and young people hospitalised with eating disorders has surged by over 500% in the past decade. This alarming rise highlights the urgent need for specialist support for those affected.
However, misconceptions about eating disorders can often prevent young people from receiving the help they need and, in some cases, may even reinforce or worsen their condition.
Eating disorder specialist and family psychotherapist Fiona Yassin explains: “Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that require expert care and treatment. Unfortunately, there are a number of dangerous misunderstandings about eating disorders that can lead parents and caregivers to unintentionally contribute to their child’s illness. This is not about assigning blame. It is about recognising potentially harmful patterns and behaviours, which is vital for fostering an environment that supports recovery.”
“While eating disorders can affect people at any age, most begin before the age of 25, meaning parents and carers often play a critical role in diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.”
Yassin, who is the founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, a leading independent clinic specialising in trauma treatment, eating disorders, mental health, and addiction treatment for teenagers, young adults, and families, encourages parents and carers to ask themselves these five questions, which could help them to spot reinforcing behaviours and better support their child.
Does your child’s academic success make you overlook an eating disorder?
One of the most common misconceptions about eating disorders is that a child or young person cannot possibly be struggling because they are doing well in school or university. This is far from the truth. Perfectionism is a well-known maintaining factor in eating disorders, most commonly anorexia nervosa. Parents who praise high achievement may inadvertently reinforce the disorder. By validating accomplishments, parents might unintentionally support the perfectionistic tendencies that sustain the eating disorder.
Are you adapting meals to ensure your child eats something rather than nothing?
Parents might think it is better for their child to eat something rather than nothing, leading them to adapt meals or shopping habits to meet the child’s preferences. When parents make accommodations around food, for example by buying only diet products, preparing completely separate meals, or allowing rigid food rules such as “no eating after 4pm,” they may be unknowingly maintaining their child’s eating disorder. These accommodations might seem like compromises, but they are behaviours that keep eating disorders active. Stopping these patterns is critical to recovery.
Do you make comments about weight or body shape around your child?
Explicit comments about weight or size, even if well-meaning, can fuel an eating disorder. For example, describing your family as a “thin and athletic” one or emphasising a specific weight or body type can create harmful narratives for a child. There is never a reason for a child to aim for a specific weight or target size unless under the strict guidance of an experienced medical professional. Comments such as “I do not want to buy a size 14” can send a damaging message to children, reinforcing the idea that certain sizes or shapes are undesirable.
Do you believe boys and men are unlikely to have eating disorders?
Eating disorders do not discriminate by gender. They affect all genders, and boys and men make up about one-third of cases. But eating disorders in boys and men have long been overlooked, in part due to the myth that all eating disorders centre on fear of weight gain and a pursuit of thinness. While some boys aim for thinness, others may pursue ideals of masculinity through excessive exercise, protein consumption, or steroid use. It is essential to challenge these stereotypes and ensure boys and men receive the care they need.
Do you assume your child is fine because they do not look like they have an eating disorder?
Body size and shape are not reliable indicators of an eating disorder. Eating disorders affect people of all sizes, and judging your child’s health based solely on their appearance can delay diagnosis and treatment. Many individuals with eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder or atypical anorexia, may not appear underweight but still face severe physical and mental health symptoms. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions driven by behaviours, thoughts, and emotions, and they are often not about the food on the plate. Focusing on size overlooks the nuanced nature of eating disorders and risks invalidating the experiences of a teenager who may need urgent support.
Early warning signs and symptoms of eating disorders in young people
“It can be difficult for parents to differentiate between normal teenage behaviours and early signs of an eating disorder. While some rigidity or interest in appearance is typical, it is important to gently observe for escalation. Parents and caregivers should create an early warning system by monitoring changes without being overly intense or intrusive,” says Yassin.
Eating disorders are often present long before parents notice. Yassin says early warning signs may include:
- Increased body-checking, such as excessive mirror use.
- Changes in routine or rigidity around food.
- Interest in nutrition, cooking shows, or calorie content.
- Skipping meals, hoarding food, or saving school lunch money.
- Increased cosmetic use or changes in self-care.
- Isolation and withdrawal from friends.
- Rigid thinking and resistance to change.
- Intense focus on specific rules or behaviours, such as avoiding food after a certain time.
Yassin says, “Eating disorders are unique among mental health conditions because they often have visible components. This visibility can heighten parental stress, leading to reactive or overly emotional responses. Unfortunately, high levels of emotion or pressure in the family can unintentionally reinforce the eating disorder, as it becomes a source of control for the young person. Instead, families should focus on warmth and positivity and avoid unintentionally siding with the eating disorder.
“With the right support, guidance, and professional help, young people can go on to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. If you think your child may have an eating disorder, seek the help of a medical professional immediately.”
This article was written by Psychreg News Team from www.psychreg.org
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