The "usual and customary" parental worries might center on excessive alcohol use, smoking, using pot or even abusing drugs (both legal and illegal). But parents should also be on the lookout for eating disorders. And it is important for parents to realize that eating disorders can affect both young women and young men.
Typically we tend to think eating disorders only affect women. The statistics indicate that one (1) million adolescent males between the ages of 12 - 25 suffer from an eating disorder. Males tend to obsess on muscle mass and fat index. A couple of months ago, NBC's TODAY show featured Dr. Nancy Snyderman's report about understanding, recognizing and getting treatment for young men suffering with eating disorders. You can learn more from her report.
If you suspect that your son or daughter may be suffering from an eating disorder, remember:
- This is a psychiatric disorder
- Seek advice from your pediatrician or family physician
- Get professional help
- Don't blame yourself
- Research indicates that up to one-half of individuals with eating disorders abuse alcohol or illicit drugs, compared to nine percent of the general population.
- Eating disorders can require long term treatment and hospital therapy
- Eating disorders, if not recognized and treated, are deadly
The earlier the patient is willing to undergo treatment, the better the possibility of recovery. Treatment always begin with psychiatric treatment followed by, nutritional counseling, behavioral changes and finally medical treatment.
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