A Guide for Parents of Children and Teens with Eating Disorders

For parents, the well-being of their children is their paramount concern. Discovering that your teen is struggling with an eating disorder can be overwhelming. Navigating the complexities of an eating disorder in your child requires understanding, patience, and a focused approach. This comprehensive guide is designed to arm you with the knowledge and strategies needed to support your child through this challenging chapter of their life.

Understanding Eating Disorders in Children and Teens

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can be especially distressing when they manifest within the still-developing minds and bodies of children and teens. These disorders are characterized by extreme behaviours and attitudes towards food and weight, including binge eating, purging, and severe calorie restriction.

The three most prevalent eating disorders in young demographics are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms

Parents are often the first to notice behavioural changes in their children. When it comes to eating disorders, early intervention is key. Here are some common signs of an eating disorder your child may exhibit.

• Preoccupation with weight, food, and body image
• Refusal to eat meals, denial of hunger, or excuses not to eat
• Food rituals such as cutting food into tiny pieces or not allowing foods to touch
• Eating in secret
• Expressing overwhelming feelings of guilt or depression over lack of control over eating
• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
• Noticeable fluctuations in weight
• Dizziness, fatigue, fainting, or weakness
• Mood swings or irritability
• Frequent dieting or other weight loss behaviours

If you observe any combination of these unhealthy eating behaviours, it’s important to address your concerns with your child and healthcare provider.

The Complex Causes of Eating Disorders in Children

Despite what many people believe, eating disorders are not simply a matter of willpower or a desire to appear thin. Rather, they are complex illnesses that are influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Biological Factors: Genetics, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies can play a significant role in the development of eating disorders. Genetics especially can influence an individual’s susceptibility.

Psychological Factors: Low self-esteem, difficulty coping with stress or traumatic events, or negative body image can contribute to the onset of an eating disorder. They may serve as a means of control or a method of coping with difficult emotions.

Social Factors: The pressures and concerns around body image and disordered eating behaviours are perpetuated by society, media, and social circles, particularly with the prevalence of social media.

How to Support Your Child Struggling with an Eating Disorder

While professional guidance is vital, the support your child receives at home is equally important. Here’s how you can play an active role in their recovery:

Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe environment where your child feels comfortable talking about their feelings and struggles. Even if it’s difficult, regular check-ins can provide insight into their mindset and needs.

Involve Your Child in Meal Planning: Allowing your child to participate in the preparation and planning of meals can empower them and provide a sense of control around food.

Avoid Criticism and Blame: Negative or accusatory language can be counterproductive and exacerbate your child’s negative self-image. Opt for supportive, encouraging language instead.

Limit Exposure to Diet Talk and Avoid Body Shaming: Shield your child from environments that glorify thinness or perpetuate diet culture. This includes being mindful of your own language and interactions with food and body image.

Be a Positive Role Model: Your behaviour around food and body image directly influences your child. Practice and model healthy eating behaviours and a positive body image.

Focus on Family Meals: Gather the family for regular meals to provide structure and normalize healthy eating habits.

Be Patient and Understanding: Recovery from an eating disorder is a slow process. Be patient with your child and offer them understanding and support throughout their journey.

Establish Routines: Clear, consistent routines can provide stability and predictability, two elements that can be calming for children and teens struggling with eating disorders.

Get Help from a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist: A professional who specializes in nutrition can guide you on providing healthy, balanced meals tailored to your child’s nutritional needs.

Seek Professional Help: Teen therapists experienced in pediatric eating disorders can provide psychological therapies and interventions to support recovery.

Treatment Options for Teens with Eating Disorders

Treatment for eating disorders in children and teens requires specialized approaches that cater to their developmental stages. Here are some treatment options for teens dealing with eating disorders.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT helps your child identify and challenge distorted thoughts about body image and self-worth that contribute to their eating disorder behaviours.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT equips teens with skills to manage their emotions, cope effectively with stress, and improve interpersonal relationships.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT focuses on accepting uncomfortable feelings and thoughts before committing to making positive behavioural changes.

Family Therapy: Involving the family in treatment is often critical for long-term success. It can help improve communication, address relational issues, and support the child’s recovery.

Group Therapy: Therapeutic groups provide teens with a supportive environment to share experiences and strategies for managing their eating disorders and developing healthy eating behaviours.

Consult with the Experienced Teen Therapists at Family Matters Centre

Eating disorders can be extremely difficult to cope with for both the children who are experiencing them, as well as their families. If you believe your teen may be struggling with an eating disorder, don’t wait to reach out.

At Family Matters Centre, we provide teen counselling services and have a background in helping children cope with eating disorders. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treatment options for teen eating disorders, which is why we offer customized treatment plans to fit each child’s unique situation.

By empowering yourself with knowledge, fostering open communication, and getting support from our therapists for teens, you can guide your child toward overcoming their eating disorder and building a healthy relationship with food and their body.

If you’re looking for teen counselling for eating disorders in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.