National Study Gives Parents an Urgent Topic for Discussion
By Kimberly Dennis, M.D.
Medical Director of Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center
November 1, 2010
Would you know if your teen was struggling with an eating disorder? About 525,000 U.S. teenagers are, and many also have other serious emotional health issues, including suicidal thoughts, according to results of a survey of more than 10,000 teens published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. More commonly reported by the teens than anorexia (55,000 teens) or bulimia (170,000 teens) was binge eating disorder (300,000 teens), the symptoms of which may be harder for parents to spot.
The present study is the largest and most comprehensive analysis of eating disorders in the U.S. to date, including nationally representative data on 10,123 teens aged 13 to 18. Binge-eating was the most common disorder, affecting more than 1.6 percent of the teens studied; 0.9 percent suffer bulimia; and 0.3 percent anorexia. Overall, three percent had a lifetime prevalence of one of the disorders. Another three percent experienced troubling symptoms of disordered eating, but not full-fledged eating disorders.
Among all age groups and demographics: As many as 10 million females and 1 million males in the U.S. battle anorexia or bulimia. And as many as 13 million more struggle with binge eating disorder. Additionally, more than half of the affected teens suffer depression, anxiety, social phobia or some other mental disorder, with a notable percent reporting suicidal thoughts or attempts—and all those affected are more likely to have problems with substance abuse (the cross-addicted teens...food counts as substance!).
How can we impact this downward trend? The solution may seem simple for such a grave situation. It’s critical for parents to talk to their kids about eating disorders as early as possible, and be open to the possibility their kids (or they) may have an unhealthy relationship with food. The best way to help our children develop a healthy relationship with their bodies is to model a loving relationship with our own bodies (and to recogmize when we can't and seek help). Parents don’t want to believe their child might have a fatal disease, an addiction, especially if the teen is doing well in school and/or excelling in sports. When parents do suspect a problem, they may think it’s ‘just a phase’ or 'it's normal for a teenager to be concerned with her looks', which really are common manifestations of the denial that is a core part of the family disease of any addictive illness.
In addition to the critical need for parents to talk to their kids, is the need for all ‘first responders’ in a teen’s life to be aware of this growing problem. Pediatricians, primary care doctors, school nurses, teachers and coaches need to be educated as well, and not afraid to talk to teens about these issues; because early detection and treatment is critical to ensure a full and healthy life for these teens.
More programs need to be developed to go into schools to not only speak to the students, but also to the school nurses, teachers and coaches. And parents need to get involved and understand the seriousness of these diseases. It’s important for parents to listen to their instincts and look for changes in behavior, including kids not eating with the family, frequent trips to the bathroom immediately after meals, changes in diet, and consumption of a large, unhealthy amount of food in one sitting.
Parents can take significant steps to help a teen recover from an eating disorder. These include:
- Educate yourself. It’s important to know what your child is experiencing.
- Be there emotionally. Work your own program of recovery. We can't give away something we don't have. Parents are the primary source for support.
- Come out of denial. While it might be hard to admit a problem and acknowledge unmanageability, parents should not delay seeking help – for their child or themselves. The worse thing to do is stay silent. Listen to your parental instincts. Stay connected to your Truth.
- Follow directions. Once expert help is found, surrender to it as parents. Listen and be ready to follow directions (always a challenge!).
Bottom-line: When a teenager has an eating disorder, it's not just the teen's problem, it's a family problem, so parents need to join in. We know from experience that when parents are involved, the outcome is likely to be improved.
While more of these studies are needed to get our heads around the scope of the problem, I believe that eating disorders are far more widespread than anyone realizes. The good news is that with these fatal diseases too, there is a solution. Full recovery and abundant, free living is possible. All of us most closely involved with any of these suffering teens must help them get the help they so desperately need.
Kimberly Dennis, MD, is the medical director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. Located in Lemont, Ill., TK is designed exclusively for women and adolescent girls with emotional disorders, including eating disorders, addiction, mood disorders and other co-occurring disorders. Dr. Dennis is a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
