The eating disorders anorexia and bulimia occur during adolescence. Patients with anorexia, who see themselves as overweight even though they are thin, invite serious health problems by dieting.
Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Dönmez from Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital, who gave advice to families regarding the disorder seen in eating behavior, said, "Stop controlling, blaming and interfering with your child. Do not try to make them gain weight, convince them to treatment."
Stating that eating disorders that occur during adolescence will negatively affect the life of the person and can lead to serious health problems if no measures are taken, Dönmez gave the following information:
"Diseases characterized by disorders in eating behavior are called eating disorders. There are two main disorders under the heading of eating disorders: In anorexia nervosa, there is a significant restriction in daily calorie intake, excessive fear of gaining weight and seeing oneself as overweight even though one is thin (body perception disorder). In bulimia nervosa, there are episodes of bingeing and purging (vomiting, using diuretics and laxatives, excessive exercise).
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHANGES ARE EFFECTIVE
Eating disorders often start during adolescence. The most important reason for this is the physical and psychological changes that occur during adolescence. The changing body and the increase in adiposity are important triggers. Being socially accepted and liked becomes increasingly important for an adolescent and physical appearance becomes an important determinant of this. In this period, receiving criticism from friends about appearance or weight can trigger an eating disorder."
PAY ATTENTION TO THESE CHANGES
Drawing attention to some of the symptoms of eating disorders in adolescence, Prof. Dönmez said:
"Becoming obsessive about food, starting to deal excessively with weight and appearance, going on very strict diets, staying in the toilet for long periods of time, hiding food, obsessively counting calories, engaging in hours-long sports activities, especially lying about what they eat can be indicators of eating disorders. In addition, general symptoms such as decreased academic success, deterioration in social relationships, not leaving the room, increased anger, and withdrawal may also occur."
HOW IS EATING DISORDER TREATED?
Stating that psychotherapy methods and psychiatric drugs are used in the treatment of eating disorders, Dönmez said, "In cases where the disease is advanced, hospitalization may be required for a while. The most important stage of treatment is to convince the patient to be treated. Because patients may be reluctant to apply for treatment, fearing that they will gain excessive weight."
I THINK MY CHILD HAS AN EATING DISORDER, WHAT CAN I DO?
Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Dönmez's recommendations for families with eating disorders in their children are as follows:
STOP SUPERVISING
Stop supervising what he/she eats and what he/she takes out. Your controlling behavior will make him/her feel under more pressure and increase these behaviors. It will also increase lying.
DO NOT ACCUSE
Some families blame the patient, thinking that an eating disorder is a sign of spoiling. Remember that an eating disorder is a psychiatric illness that requires treatment and has nothing to do with spoiling.
DO NOT BE OVERLY INTRUSIVE
For some adolescents, an eating disorder may be the only area of their lives that they can control, a struggle for freedom.
DO NOT TRY TO MAKE THEM GAIN WEIGHT
Remember that the most feared thing in life is gaining weight. Because he thinks that once he starts, he will not be able to stop it. So don't try to force him to eat something high in calories.
TRY TO PERSUADE TREATMENT
But do not be coercive in doing so. He will not benefit from the treatment you force him to take. Instead, talk to him calmly, express your concerns about him and encourage him to seek treatment.