Eating disorders are complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that affect a person’s physical and emotional health and involve intense emotions and behaviors related to food. These are serious illnesses and can be fatal if left untreated.
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Eating Disorders for Parents: General Information
What are eating disorders? Eating disorders are complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that affect a person’s physical and mental health, involving intense emotions and disordered behaviors related to food. These … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Causes, Signs and Symptoms
Causes There are many theories about what causes eating disorders. There is rarely one cause; most eating disorders are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Sometimes … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Health Consequences
A “health consequence” is a general term for the many negative physical and mental health changes that can result from disordered eating. Some of the dangers may be specific to … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Helping Your Child Prepare for an Evaluation
Young people with eating disorder behaviors or symptoms are generally referred to an eating disorder program by their pediatrician, family doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. As a parent, it’s … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Treatment Options
The Treatment Team Eating disorders are both medical and psychological conditions. Therefore, treatment usually includes working with a team of specialists including: a medical doctor or nurse practitioner, licensed therapist, … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Therapy
Because an eating disorder is both a medical and psychological condition, most people meet with a licensed therapist as part of treatment. Although some families worry about stigma attached to … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Balanced Eating
Eating nutritionally balanced meals and snacks is important for everyone’s mind and body. During the recovery process from an eating disorder, your child will work with a registered dietitian to … read more
Eating Disorders for Parents: Body Image and Self-Esteem
Young people are constantly exposed to unrealistic standards in the media, such as airbrushed images, skinny models, and overly muscular models, and thus may feel pressure to lose weight or … read more
Eating Disorders: All Guides
Eating disorders affect millions of teens and young adults around the world. They’re most common in cultures that focus on weight and body image…