How to Help Your Teenage Girl with an Eating Disorder
Listen Understandingly
If you suspect that your teenage daughter may be struggling with an eating disorder, talk with them about your concerns. Even if your teen is hiding their eating disorder, it is likely due to them feeling ashamed or being unable to communicate their need for help appropriately. Don’t take this behavior personally. They may not even be aware their behaviors are unhealthy or consistent with an eating disorder.
Communicate Compassionately
Open lines of communication are the first step in helping your teen get the treatment they need. It is crucial that you take a comprehensive approach to the issue of disordered eating, as most patients benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.
Advocate for Proper Care
Make sure your teen completes a thorough evaluation that takes into account any potential medical, or physical manifestations of the eating disorder. In addition, this examination should take note of any underlying or co-occurring psychiatric conditions, or psycho-social stressors. Taking stock of everything going on in your teen’s brain and body will be vital to setting a course in motion for healing.
How to Help Teen Girls with an Eating Disorder
There are many things that you can do to help a teen cope with an eating disorder.
Whether you are a parent, family member, teacher, or friend of a teen girl with a suspected eating disorder, the first step is usually recognition. It will be a difficult step, especially if the teen is in denial or unaware of their condition. If you are not well positioned to get the discussion started, it may be beneficial to call a professional well-versed in eating disorders to assist in the conversation.
Ensure that you are speaking from a place of the fullest understanding and acceptance possible of their struggle and situation. Asking for guidance on how you can be most helpful allows your loved one to be involved in taking some of those first steps. At the same time, it is important that the teen knows you will not minimize or ignore their struggle and ultimately will insist that help be provided to them.
If you or a teenager in your care is looking for eating disorder treatment, Within Health is here to help. Call now to learn about our revolutionary virtual treatment program, and our compassionate clinical care team.