Clinical Social Worker Discusses the Effects of Social Media on Teens
When most people picture someone with an eating disorder, they have a specific image in mind. Maybe they imagine someone in a smaller body who barely eats or someone whose physical health has become visibly compromised. But eating disorders don't have one particular look, and believing they do can prevent teenagers from getting the support they need. As an eating disorder therapist, one of the things I feel most passionate about is helping parents understand that eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their body size, gender, age, or athletic ability.
As a parent, you know your teenager better than almost anyone. You may notice subtle changes in their mood, behavior, or relationship with food long before you have a clear explanation for what's happening. Maybe your teen has become increasingly concerned about their appearance. Perhaps they're avoiding certain foods, withdrawing from social activities, or seeming more anxious or irritable than usual. You might have noticed these changes for weeks or months without knowing whether they're cause for concern. In my work as an eating disorder therapist, I know that recognizing the signs of an eating disorder in teens isn't always straightforward. Eating disorders and disordered eating can look different from one person to another, and some warning signs are easy to mistake for typical teenage behavior.
Compulsive exercise refers to a pattern of exercise that feels driven, rigid, or difficult to control, even when continuing to exercise may be physically or emotionally harmful.
It isn't necessarily about how many hours you exercise or how intense your workouts are.
Two people can have the exact same exercise routine, but one may experience it as enjoyable and flexible while the other experiences it as an obligation they can't escape.
The question isn't simply: "How much do I exercise?"
It's also: "What happens when I don't?"
