If your child is not quite yet an adolescent, you may be surprised to learn that they suffer from a restrictive eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa. As the majority of sufferers are adolescents and teens, it can be difficult to spot anorexia in younger children and it can be even more difficult for parents to accept the truth. If your child has been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, or if you're concerned that your child has the eating disorder, take some time to read the overview of the condition below.
What are the Causes of Child-Onset Anorexia?
As anorexia is a complex medical and mental health disorder, there isn't one cause that is responsible for the early onset of anorexia in children.
While some children who display early symptoms of anorexia nervosa may suffer from distorted self image, there are other conditions, such as anxiety or OCD, that can also lead to the development of a restrictive eating disorder.
How You Can Recognize the Early Signs of Anorexia in Your Child
Two common symptoms associated with early-onset anorexia is an obsession with food and a compulsion to exercise until exhaustion.
While anorexia can be difficult to notice in children, especially considering it's not a common childhood disorder, a few physical symptoms can alert you to the problem. For example, if your child is struggling to maintain a healthy weight and there is no medical reason for the issue, you may want to stay aware of your child's eating habits. Your child may fuss over their food throughout meals and push it around on their plate instead of eating it. Your child may also prefer to eat in private in order to disguise their lack of eating.
How a Mental Health Counselor Can Help
If you suspect that your child is suffering from anorexia nervosa or another mental health condition that's causing an unhealthy relationship to food, it's time to consult with a mental health counselor.
A mental health professional can evaluate your child's current mental state and determine where the issue lies. For certain children, anxiety can contribute to feelings of poor self-image. In this case, your child's counselor may recommend meeting with a psychiatrist for an anxiety evaluation. In other children, depression can play a key role in their feelings toward food and intensive counseling can help your child. In the majority of cases, anorexia is a complex condition that requires multiple medical interventions and will likely require the help of other medical professionals, such as a nutritional rehabilitationist.
If you suspect that your child has an eating disorder, it's important to consult with their pediatrician as well as a mental health counselor. To learn more, contact a mental health clinic like T M S Center of Nebraska LLC.
Share3 August 2016
When I initially started the therapy process about 10 years ago, I didn't take the time to scout out the right counselor. Instead, I just went to the first counselor that my doctor recommended, and the experience was less than enjoyable. I realized that I might need to do a little research to find the right counselor for me, so I took the time to carefully evaluate my needs and research different clinics in my area. I was able to find an amazing counselor who really seemed to have it under control, and it was incredibly beneficial to see the difference that it made. This blog is all about finding the right counselor.
