What You Need to Know About Anorexia

Many teens and young adults struggle with eating disorders. In this Anorexia series, we will dig deep into the conversation about anorexia, read a powerful testimony of overcoming anorexia, and discover resources to help heal anorexia. Tina Yeager, LMHC, an award-winning author, speaker, podcast host, and life coach, is on all three episodes of the Warfare Parenting Podcast. You can listen here. Please be sure to comment and leave your thoughts on the Warfare Parenting Blog!

What is Anorexia?

Anorexia is an eating disorder that affects mainly girls. The average girl develops anorexia at age sixteen to seventeen. Teen girls between the ages of thirteen and nineteen and young women in their early twenties are at most risk. Eighty-five percent of anorexics have onset of the disorder between thirteen and eighteen.

What influences teenagers at risk for anorexia?

Stress and significant life change factor into the disorder risk. Dysfunctional family environments and peer pressure play a role. Negative messages from culture and media can also impact and influence the disorder.

What are signs that our teen or young adult may have anorexia?

There are several psychological signs, and they can include: perfectionism. Obsessive thinking, difficulty expressing emotions and feelings, history of trauma or abuse, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and lack of healthy coping strategies.

Some physical signs of anorexia are: they don’t eat enough, are underweight, obsessed with gaining weight, hard to sleep at night, dizzy, fainting, hair falling out, period stops, constipation, and self-esteem are based on the way their body looks.

If you suspect your teen or young adult may have anorexia, please open up the conversation loving and non-confrontational. Our third blog will have many resources on how to find help if you think your teen or young adult may have anorexia. After opening the conversation, schedule a check-up with the doctor to rule out any other underlying factors. Then the doctor can help you find options for treatment.