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SIGNS OF EATING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN/ DOES MY CHILD HAVE AN EATING DISODER

Disordered eating can cause many different symptoms, depending on the eating disorder type. When looking for warning signs in a child/teen and foremost pay attention to what they say about themselves. Your child/teen may:

  • Become upset about their own eating behavior or others expecting them to eat

  • Be very underweight or gain a lot of weight

  • Eat quickly or constantly, even when they’re not hungry

  • Experience dehydration, dry mouth or changes to tooth enamel

  • Feel tired or confused

  • Have anxiety or depression

  • No longer have regular menstrual periods

These eating disorder warning signs may mean it’s time to seek treatment.

TREATMENT

It can be challenging for concerned parents to know if their child has reached the stage of having an eating disorder. Here are some helpful tips to help you determine if if you need to seek care for your child.

WHO GETS EATING DISORDERS?

Eating disorders are common. The truth is, eating disorders can affect people of all ages, genders, races, and body types. While commonly associated with teenage girls, these conditions also impact boys, young children, adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Genetics, trauma, mental health conditions, and societal pressures all play a role in who is most at risk. Your child/teen may be at higher risk of developing an eating disorder if they:

  • Don’t like the way their body looks

  • Have a disciplined or high-achieving personality

  • Have other family members or peers who create rigid rules around diet and exercise

  • Spend a lot of time on social media and compare themselves to idealized images

When teens compare themselves to idealized body images, they may feel pressure to look a certain way. Heavy social media use often adds to this pressure.

Continuum of care for Eating Disorders

There is help for parents of kids with eating disorders. Overall, it is a comprehensive continuum of care in the opimal treatment of eating disorders to ensure patients are receiving the right care, in the right place at the right time as they transition to a place of stability and healthy eating habits. This begins with outpatient clinic visits, and with increasing levels of care includes IOP (intensive outpatient program), PHP (partial hospitalization program), residential and inpatient care. Our clinical team knows that eating disorder behaviors involve complex medical and behavioral health components and can help guide you to the best care level for your loved one as their care needs evolve. We medically support the patient before and after residential/inpatient care.

Flowchart illustrating stages of patient care from inpatient care to aftercare, including PHP program, IOP program, and aftercare.
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Medical Appointments

Your eating disorder doctor. All patients are seen initially in the clinic for evaluation. Once seen, the frequency of evaluation and labs will be determined by the severity of their illness at that time.

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Group Therapy

We provide a supportive and interactive environment where individuals and their loved ones can learn from each other, share experiences, and develop coping skills.

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Telehealth

It may be more convenient for the patient and family for follow-up visits to be done virtually. There is no change in time allowed or cost as compared to inperson visits.

MORE ABOUT OUR PHILOSOPHY

We aim to help you lovingly set limits on unsafe behaviors, such as not eating, that significantly affect your child’s mental and physical health. The ultimate goal is for your child to develop the capacity to again take care of themselves appropriately.   Expert Medical Care for Eating Disorders in Youth.

Food is medicine for a malnourished body and brain. We aim to help you stimulate eating for your child in a way that meets their current needs, even when it’s distressing and difficult. Compassionate Pediatric Eating Disorder Support in Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Johns Creek.