Teenage girls are prone to having a poor body image. Bombarded with images of skinny girls on magazines, on stage, on the runway and drooled over by their male counterparts, girls can develop a warped sense of their body. If they head down a road of low self esteem the drive to be accepted and well liked may manifest in an eating disorder. Eating disorders can be an underlying symptom of a greater psychological problem or mental trauma.
What signs should be red flags to parents and loved ones? Keep in mind that a teen showing one or two signs does not mean she has an eating disorder. However, if she is showing signs over a period of time it is worth taking a deeper look. If you suspect your loved one of having an eating disorder consult a doctor immediately. The sooner this issue is dealt with the more chance there is of recovery. Eating disorders are serious and can have devastating effects and even result in death.
Warning Signs:
Major weight loss
Will no longer eat favorite desserts or high fat foods and reacts disgusted by them.
Begins to eat in a ritualistic fashion.
Will not eat in front of others.
Skips meals frequently or has an excuse for not eating.
Becomes so obsessed with fat content that only items like lettuce are eaten.
Obsessed with reading the fat and calorie content of any food she puts in her mouth.
Begins to lie about how much food she has eaten.
Displays a fear of gaining weight.
Clothing size becomes a point of obsession.
Constantly complains about her body and weight when there is no cause.
Compulsive exercising.
Compulsively checks herself in the mirror and/or weigh herself.
Wears baggy clothing to hide weight loss.
Moody and irritable beyond that of what you expect from a teenager.
Cutting herself.
Stops menstruating
Finding empty boxes of diet pills or laxatives.
Missing large quantities of food (bulimia)
Consistently goes to the bathroom after a meal (bulimia)
Enamel erosion or evidence across the finger joints of self-induced vomiting.