We all know that eating disorders are a sensitive topic, but it’s time to start discussing the root cause. Why do kids get eating disorders? Is it because of anxiety? Stress? Or is it because our country has become too obsessed with physical appearance? The answer may be different for everyone. But one thing is certain: something needs to change in our society if we ever want to eradicate this problem.
The 2 most well known eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexics restrict the amount of food they eat, or don’t eat enough calories. Bulimia is characterized by binge eating followed by purging either through self-induced vomiting and/or excessive use of laxatives.
Both disorders are typically rooted in anxiety, stress, body insecurity or dissatisfaction with physical appearance; but there can be other causes such as abuse.
Anorexia nervosa is the most common eating disorder in young women. The causes of anorexia are typically anxiety, stress and body dissatisfaction. Symptoms include extreme weight loss from a diet that consists only of low-calorie foods; refusal to maintain minimal normal body weight (less than 85% on height and age); intense fear of gaining weight, and an unrealistic of how thin one should try to become.
Bulimia nervosa is the most common eating disorder in young men. The causes of bulimia are typically anxiety, stress and body dissatisfaction. Symptoms include frequent episodes of bingeing-eating followed by purging via self induced vomiting or laxative abuse; intense fear of gaining weight, and an unrealistic perception that one should obtain unrealistic body proportions.
Some methods that are used to treat eating disorders include psychotherapy, group therapy and family therapy. Many treatment centers in Costa Mesa refuse to treat eating disorders. It is a difficult issue to treat and you need to have a special kind of staff to do the job.
Here at OC Teen Center, we have a psychiatrist in-house that helps with this treatment. Our psychiatrist is on site almost every day. Along with the psychiatrist, we have a staff that is specially trained to help those in need.
Our goal at OC Teen Center is to get teens out of their eating disorder as soon as possible. We understand how difficult it can be and want people to know there are ways out even when you feel like things will never change.
We also have staff that have succeeded in beating their own eating disorders. This gives us a special advantage in treating this difficult mental illness.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder and want to know how our program can help, please give us a call. We would love to chat with you about what we do here at OC Teen Center.
We accept PPO insurance and we have a sliding scale for cash-pay families. We also offer free snacks, drinks, and wifi in our “Parent’s Lounge.” Our facility is located in Costa Mesa, not far from John Wayne Airport.
Most importantly, we are not scared of treating eating disorders and we will attack the problem with all of our effort.