Teen Binge Eating Symptoms
Eating disorders are not uncommon amongst teenagers; that is the unfortunate reality of the world that we live in today. Many teens put pressure upon each other to be the “ideal” picture physically, and others put pressure upon themselves based on how they think they should be. Self-esteem is something that can be low amongst teenage girls in particular when it come to body image. While it’s not often thought of as an eating disorder, binge eating also falls into this classification. It is often part of another eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia; after periods of not eating or purging, many teens will begin to over eat to satisfy whatever they feel they’re lacking emotionally or physically. Binge eating can also been an eating disorder on its own. Usually, binge eating occurs to cope with any emotional issues to fill a void.
Binge Eating Signs
Parents might be in the best position to detect signs of binge eating with their teens. It doesn’t have to occur all the time, but teens who are binging on food will go all out and over-consume when they do. Most often, what they’re eating is not healthy food items either; it’s all junk food. Parents will find bags of chips, cookies and any other unhealthy goodies in the home disappear often within a day because a teen will continue eating at once during a binge until they’re unable to eat anymore or until they make themselves physically ill.
When binge eating goes hand-in-hand with bulimia, a period of binging is normally followed by purging. The guilt of over-eating even if it made them temporarily feel better, causes them to feel the need to purge what they consumed in calories, and that’s often the exact reason. Parents will notice their teens refusing to eat during regular meals, but then they may witness food disappearing from the household. Weight fluctuations can also occur, although not all teens will put on weight if they’re not eating regular meals.
Signs of malnutrition might be visible in teens that are only eating junk food. Changes in complexion, hair texture and other visible signs can indicate that they’re not getting enough vitamins due to the lack of proper meals.
Treatment for Binge Eating
Binge eating needs to be treated just as any other eating disorder. It is not a healthy long-term habit and it must be taken seriously. Treatment facilities can help individuals overcome their eating habits, and in many places, families can find rehab facilities and eating disorder treatment programs that are designed for teens so they have the support of their peers and don’t need to feel as though they’re being judged by people from older generations.
Inpatient or outpatient rehab treatment options are both available to treat teens. For more information about the type of treatment that may be needed and where it’s available, local rehab directories can be consulted or a health care professional in the area can make a recommendation.