Today’s teenagers are under immense pressure. Fear of failure, social expectations, and prolonged stress lead many teens to disordered eating habits. Social media and constant exposure to diet, fitness, and unhealthy body image expectations can lead to body dysmorphia and eating disorders. February’s National Eating Disorder Awareness Week allows teens and their families to understand the effects and help available for disordered eating. This February, talk with your family about teen disordered eating treatment.
If you or a young man in your life needs help with unhealthy eating habits, the team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help. Our holistic programs for adolescent men provide support for addiction and disordered eating. Call us today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about our disordered eating support.
Recognizing Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
Most people are familiar with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. They are technically the only eating disorders recognized by the American Psychological Association. Anorexia is known for extreme fasting and under-eating, while bulimia involves purging. There are, however, several disordered eating habits that also need psychiatric support and treatment. These include:
- Yo-yo dieting, calorie counting, or avoiding group meals
- Fad diets or other unsupervised restrictive diets
- Food anxiety, shame, or obsessing
- Body dysmorphia
- Secretive eating or hiding food
- Feeling out of control around food
- Exercise or calorie restriction to compensate for binge eating
Disordered eating is an unhealthy relationship with food. Unfortunately, in today’s high-pressure society, disordered eating is common. Many teenagers turn to disordered eating to feel a sense of control over their lives and bodies. For most, disordered eating habits stem from undiagnosed mood disorders or unhealed trauma in need of attention.
If your teen or someone in your life is struggling with the above behaviors, now is the time to show support and help them find the treatment they need.
Showing Support During NEDA Week
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDA) is an entire week devoted to raising awareness for disordered eating. While many people live with disordered eating in secret, NEDA provides the opportunity to normalize and de-stigmatize disordered eating habits. Raising awareness for disordered eating can reduce shame and guilt while also encouraging people to seek the help they need.
NEDA Week is a great time to show your support and self-education about eating disorders and disordered eating. Now is the time to learn about treatment options, signs, and symptoms. Check out NEDA resources online and participate in NEDA social media campaigns to start conversations with your loved ones that help normalize eating disorders as common, treatable conditions. This is the perfect opportunity to find local resources and the right programs to help you and your loved ones find the right psychiatric support for healthy eating habits.
Begin Holistic Teen Disordered Eating Treatment Today
Unfortunately, many of today’s teens struggle with food. Most do so in secret. If you or someone in your life shows signs of disordered eating, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is the time to talk about food. The team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help. Our holistic programs for adolescent men provide comprehensive treatment for addiction and disordered eating. With a focus on traditional and alternative therapies, the young men at Foothills disconnect from their stressful lives and reconnect to themselves through the serene Foothills campus. With equine-assisted therapy, our clients build resilience and reframe their relationships with food.
Get the Help Your Son Needs When You Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
Get help for teen disordered eating today. Our staff is waiting to answer your questions and find the right programs for you. Call us now at 866.300.5275.
