Adolescence is a time of rapid growth — physically, emotionally, and socially. It’s also a time when many young people begin to develop more complex relationships with food, body image, and peer comparison. But for some, those changes can signal something more serious:

A teen eating disorder.

Eating disorders are not just about food — they are mental health disorders with serious physical consequences. They can be hard to spot, especially in teens who may hide symptoms or appear “fine” on the outside. But early recognition is key to preventing long-term health complications and increasing the chance of full recovery.

Many children and teens today feel immense pressure to be perfect — to achieve high grades, win every competition, stay in control, and never mess up. While perfectionism can sometimes look like motivation or high standards, underneath it often lives anxiety, fear of failure, and self-criticism.

Eating disorder recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some people do well with weekly outpatient therapy and dietitian support. Others need more intensive care to break free from the cycle of disordered behaviors, restore physical health, and feel emotionally safe enough to heal.

If you're wondering whether it’s time to consider a higher level of care — like intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), residential, or inpatient treatment — you're not alone.

Being resilient doesn’t always feel good.
Sometimes, it feels like exhaustion.
Like showing up when you’d rather hide.
Like holding steady while your insides are unraveling.
Like doing the “right” thing while no one’s clapping for you.

When most people hear the term “eating disorder,” they tend to picture extreme thinness or assume it’s all about food. But eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect people of all body sizes, genders, ages, and backgrounds — and they don’t all look the same.

Whether you’re a parent, provider, or someone seeking answers, it’s important to understand the different types of eating disorders. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward healing.