Dealing with an eating disorder is nothing new, but these disorders happen much more today than at any other point in our past. There are many reasons for that, and the thing that makes it even more complicated is that the person who has some eating disorder isn’t usually aware that they have a problem. Since that’s the case, let’s first focus more on that now.
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What it is?
Even though some think of it as something of not that huge importance, in reality, an eating disorder is a pretty complex thing caused by various factors. Namely, many studies have shown that this illness doesn’t have just one genuine cause, as the factors differ from one person to another. Of course, there are many similar cases when this disorder happened due to similar reasons, but those results can not be conclusive, as the test subjects weren’t monitored.
If there is one thing we know about this disorder, it’s that it is pretty difficult to be solved because social, mental, and genetic factors are the ones where it all starts, and worst case scenario, all three factors have a role in causing it. That is why eating disorders are not something one should take on lightly, especially those with low self-esteem, as this is the ground for many other similar illnesses.
On the other hand, the good thing is that there are many effective treatments for dealing with this disorder, even though we still don’t know all the facts about what causes it. Various therapies have provided great results and sped up the recovery process. Understandably, the most effective therapies are the ones that focus on what caused the problem in the first place. Besides, those therapies also grant higher success, and such a disorder would not happen to the same person again because of that precise reason.
How to recognize the symptoms?
The sentence you have probably heard before goes, “The first step to solving any problem is recognizing there is one,” and this couldn’t be more than true for any eating disorder. As you might already know, there are many types of eating disorders, and the first thing to focus on here is learning a thing or two about them, what they are, and how to notice them.
The most common ones are bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating. Even though the latter one is relatively new, it is currently one of the most common eating disorders in the world. Now, most people would immediately connect binge-watching eating disorders with the Internet and how easy it is to just sit at home, relax, and watch your favorite TV show, and even though there is some truth to these claims, the root of the problem is much deeper.
As for the symptoms, any rapid weight loss, hiding food, and not wanting to eat in front of other people are just some of the most common ones, but you should also pay close attention to the preoccupation with body image and overuse of laxatives. Above all, sudden and rapid mood changes are also a sign that something might be wrong and that someone has some eating disorder, as mood swings are usually how these disorders reflect.
How to prevent them?
Since it is too challenging to find the main reason for any eating disorders, it is also pretty difficult to prevent them, but there are some things that we should avoid around our children and teenagers.
Diets can be a great way to reduce body weight, but they can be pretty dangerous for young children who learn about healthy eating habits by watching us. Because of that, it is a much better option to prepare healthy meals and eat them together at the table as a family, as it is one of the best ways to teach them good eating habits that would not encourage skipping meals and cause disorders.
Besides that, talking about food and the importance of healthy meals is a must since most children have access to the internet and various websites with suspicious content. Unfortunately, many websites neglect the danger of eating disorders and celebrate people with anorexia and other disorders. It can be pretty dangerous for young people’s minds and easily convince them that it is good. Because of that, it is up to us to talk about it, explain how unhealthy and dangerous it is, and present all the potential consequences to them.
Each body is different, and it is crucial to explain to children that each of them is pretty in its own way, and a supermodel’s body is not something they should tend to achieve. Instead of that, they should be happy with their own bodies and learn how to love them even with a few extra pounds.
Negative body image is pretty dangerous, and most people with eating disorders see themselves as extremely fat even when they are extremely skinny. Even random comments about your or someone else body can be dangerous around children as they can understand them in a really negative way, which can affect their self-esteem, so it is always better to compliment someone’s looks than to criticize them.
Regular doctor check-ups should not be skipped even when everything seems all right, as doctors can sometimes be able to notify some early indicators of eating disorders before us. They usually measure the weight and height of the kid and ask them a few questions about their habits, which can help them determine whether it is necessary to make some changes or not.
Final thoughts
Eating disorders are much more dangerous than people think, and thanks to the fast life and accessibility to different content on television and online, many kids and young people are at risk of developing some of them. Since the main cause of them cannot be determined, as they appear as a cause of more of them, it is crucial to do everything we can to prevent them.
However, even though some of them appear, a fast reaction is the only way to help someone, and we need to find a specialist able to help them, which can be a little tricky as not all of them are reliable. If you want to learn more about eating disorders or need specialists, visit montenido.com and you can find everything in one place and get professional help.
