Do you suspect your child has an eating disorder?

 

14 Signs that your Daughter or Son May Have an Eating Disorder:

 

•  Erratic food habits:

Eating large amounts of food and then disappearing from the table

•   Playing with food.
•   Restricting food intake.
• Major changes in weight in a short amount of time:

Considering teen bodies are changing and getting heavier, dramatic weight loss for age and height can be a warning sign.

• Hiding her body even after weight loss:

May be an indication that your daughter believes her body is very large even when it is not.

• Hiding food:

Finding large amounts of food stashed in her bedroom, hidden under her bed or in closet, disappearance of food from the refrigerator or pantry.

• Refusal to eat when others are present:

You’ll hear things like “I’ve already eaten” or “I have a

stomachache” simply to avoid eating.

• Compulsive exercising:
• Exercising to take off as many calories that were consumed
•  Measuring self-worth based on weight:

Calling oneself “good” for not eating and “bad” for giving in to eating. Bashing self for eating more than the allotted calories       

•       Missing several periods in a row

Periods can stop when girls lose too much weight.

•       Overall poor body image:

Poor attitude when it comes to weight and appearance.

•  Spending a lot of time in the bathroom:

Could be sign of purging or laxative use.

 

Different types of Eating disorders

Bulimia Nervosa

At first you eat quickly and excessively. This is followed by vomiting, fasting, exercise, laxatives or medicine in order to avoid an increase in weight.

 

Anorexia Nervosa

You don't eat enough to maintain your normal weight. You are very afraid of becoming fat and have false ideas about your weight and figure.

 

Binge Eating

You eat too much in periods as a consequence of a craving for food which exceeds your real nutritional needs. More.

 

In addition to this, there are also people who do not exactly fit into the three categories above, but who nevertheless exhibit eating disturbances.

Typical examples of such cases are:

 

Partial Syndrome

You limit your intake of food and are preoccupied with your weight, you swing between frenzied eating and vomiting, and have other eating disorders symptoms, but still do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for full-blown eating disorders.

 

 

Obsessive Dieters or "weight-preoccupied" individuals

You think a lot about your weight and figure but not so much that you belong to the "Partial Syndrome" group.

 

Obese individuals with eating disorders

You eat more than you need and allow your weight to become too high for good health. Overweight can have other causes than eating disorders and can be caused by an eating disorder if there are psychological reasons for eating more than the body needs, such as when negative emotions (anger, boredom, disappointment, etc.) cause an abnormal craving for food.

Non-classifiable Disturbances

Your answer to the eating disorder test may indicate the presence of an eating disorder without any real problem with your weight, figure or eating. There are those who compulsively take laxatives to reduce weight but do not regularly eat compulsively. There are women who are very underweight but still have menstruation. A person who does not fulfill the formal definition of eating disorders may nevertheless have a serious eating disorder.

 

 

 

 

Counselors in Jacksonville and surrounding counties for eating disorders

 

         

• The Body Image Counseling Center

Clinical Social Work/Therapist  Eating Disorders

"Are you having trouble finding a qualified eating disorder therapist in your town? Do you feel like you'll never have a normal relationship with food or your body? Have you tried other doctors and therapists who either didn't understand your eating issues.

Jacksonville, Florida 32207

(904) 567-3894

 

• Megan Logan MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist  Eating Disorders

"You wouldn't think that finding the right counselor could be this difficult! It's so important to find a good match and feel comfortable with your therapist. Clients often describe me as someone who is "easy to talk to", has a ..."

Jacksonville, Florida 32204

(904) 209-9686

 

         

•  Stephanie Vavilala LMHC, RPT-S

Counselor Eating Disorders

"I am a therapist who believes in a healthy, positive approach to dealing with life issues. I utilize a holistic approach, incorporating the mind, body, and spirit. I believe in conscious living, that is the increased awareness of the choices ..."

Jacksonville, Florida 32224

(904) 297-8961

 

 

         

•  Ann Hawthorne MA, LMHC, RN, CHT

Counselor Eating Disorders

"At "Life by Design", I provide counseling, life coaching and hypnosis, to individuals, couples, families and groups, age 18 and older. I believe that anyone, regardless of their background, habits or experiences, can learn how to take direction in their ..."

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

(904) 449-0792

 

• Christy Carpenter MA, LMHC

Counselor Eating Disorders

"Making the decision to enter counseling is a big step. Life is stressful, full of surprises and challenges. Now more than ever, people need a place to feel connected and a person to listen. Let me help you take the ..."

Jacksonville, Florida 32224

(904) 257-0426