Resources Tagged With: eating disorders

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American Psychiatric Association [web resource]

americanpsychiatricassoc363The American Psychiatric Association is primarily a professional organization of psychiatrists working together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental illness, including substance use disorders. Read more ›

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Why Is My Teen Always Tired? Nutritional Strategies for Improving Mood, Energy and Academics [video] [downloadable]

Does your teen always seem to be tired? Learn about the nutritional causes for low energy and fatigue in adolescents. Read more ›

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She Was 11, with an Eating Disorder — But She Had No Body Image Issues

eatingdisorderARFID168If I had been asked to list my parenting worries, my daughter dying from a heart attack caused by an eating disorder wouldn’t have made the cut. Norah scoffed when doctor after doctor asked her about body image. “I like the way I look; my body is fine,” she said. “I’m just nauseous.”

Most parents are familiar with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, both of which stem from issues with body image. I learned, however, that there is another type of eating disorder: avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, which isn’t related to body image at all.

ARFID was introduced as its own diagnosis in 2013, but according to a report from the National Institutes of Health, up to 23 percent of patients being treated for an eating disorder have ARFID.

For other children, ARFID may stem from a fear of choking, vomiting or an aversion to certain food textures or colors. These things can render them unable to eat, and over time their list of “safe foods” may grow more restrictive. More serious than what some would call picky eating, this type of restriction can lead to a serious limitation of both the quantity and variety of foods a person consumes. That can result in not consuming enough calories and nutrients necessary for growth and good health.

Norah’s eating disorder onset was rapid, and she deteriorated quickly. She has always been thin, and from when it started in December to her hospital admission in May, Norah lost eight pounds (about 10 percent of her body weight). Just after Thanksgiving in 2016, Norah developed a sinus infection and immediately after completing a round of antibiotics, she came down with pneumonia. We gave her an aggressive course of probiotics, but we weren’t surprised that her stomach hurt after two rounds of antibiotics in a month. But as January rolled around Norah still wasn’t herself, and she wasn’t getting better.

. . .Norah’s anxiety increased markedly, and she struggled to regulate her emotions. In addition to constant nausea, she was experiencing severe constipation, dizziness, crushing fatigue and body aches and had lost more weight. We also noticed that her blood pressure and resting pulse were dropping. Each test raised more questions but provided no clear answers. By March she was so ill she was no longer regularly attending school and had stopped participating in extracurricular activities.

What made me think my daughter could have an eating disorder? She is a perfectionist, a stellar student and a fantastic athlete. She also battles anxiety and puts a great deal of pressure on herself. I was familiar with the warning signs of anorexia and bulimia in older teens, but none of those markers were visible in my 10-year-old. Her doctors thought that perhaps her nausea was anxiety-based and was contributing to her illness, but not one of her specialists mentioned a non-body image eating disorder.

Excerpted from, “She was 11, with an eating disorder. It took her mom to figure it out.”  Read the full article in The Washington Post.

Source: The Washington Post | She was 11, with an eating disorder. It took her mom to figure it out., https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2018/08/01/she-was-11-with-an-eating-disorder-it-took-her-mom-to-figure-it-out | © The Washington Post 2018

Do you need someone to talk to? CHC can help. We invite you to call or email our Care Coordinators at 650.688.3625 or careteam@chconline.org to set up a free 30-minute consultation.

eating disorder ARFID167

What Exactly Is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?

eating disorder ARFID167Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) was previously referred to as “Selective Eating Disorder.” ARFID is similar to anorexia in that both disorders involve limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed, but unlike anorexia, ARFID does not involve body image issues.

A person with ARFID is not merely a “picky eater,” but rather, does not consume enough calories to grow and develop properly. In children, this results in malnutrition, low weight gain, and restricted growth. Read more ›

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What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders

eatingdisorder123

There is a commonly held misconception that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are actually serious and often fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Read more ›

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CDC Releases Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results and Trends Report

2017 CDC YouthRisk 131The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health behaviors and experiences among high school students across the country. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results help in understanding the factors that contribute to the leading causes of illness, death and disability among youth and young adults. Read more ›

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Anxiety in Teens [web resource]

Founded in 2006, Anxiety In Teens is a non-profit whose mission is to equip young adults with tools and community to advance emotional wellness.  The Anxiety In Teens website is the place where teens, college students, and parents can find all things millennial and Gen Z mental health. Anxiety In Teens’ content is for youth and by youth.  Read more ›

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American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org [web resource]

healthykids_orgThe American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of  66​,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.​ In 2009, the AAP launched HealthyChildren.org to provide parents with health information from a trustworthy source.
Read more ›

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Crisis Text Line [web resource]

crisistextlineCrisis Text Line is a free 24/7 text line staffed by dedicated, trained volunteers. It is  available to help anyone with any type of crisis. Read more ›

The Mighty [web resource]

Having a disability or disease doesn’t have to be isolating.  The Mighty, an online platform for people facing disability, disease and mental illness, provides a safe supportive community for people (including teens and young adults) to tell their stories, connect with others and raise support for the causes they believe in. Read more ›

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