Eating Disorders And Adolescents

Eating disorder is a mental illness characterized by abnormal habits of eating which is defined by excessive or insufficient meals to the disadvantage of mental and physical health of an individual. The most common and well known types of eating disorder include Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Other forms of eating disorder are OSFED and Binge eating disorder.

Although eating disorder can affect anybody irrespective of the gender, age or background, Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa and other various disorder are more prone during the adolescence. Generally, eating disorder is attributed to the environmental, biological, social, personal and psychological factors, however, the adolescents are the most prone group to the risks of developing eating disorder.

Causes of Eating Disorder in Adolescents

The adolescence stage involves intense body change that bring about confusions, stress and anxiety to engage in various things which results to low self-esteem, self-consciousness and peer pressures. Moreover, adolescences involves psychological and hormonal changes which affects a person mentally, emotionally, psychologically and physically. There is as well the issue of environmental and social change. Generally, adolescence stage involves intense transformation which occurs within a short span of time and which in most cases results to confusions or stress that leads to development of eating disorder.

It is not so surprising to find adolescents struggling to cope with the intense changes, low self-esteem and uncertainties associated with the adolescence. Eating disorder is a common mechanism used by the adolescents in attempt to cope with their conditions particularly in situations whereby they feel loneliness and helpless in the face of the life aspects. When the pursuit for control goes up, an eating disorder development risk increases proportionally.

Moreover, peer pressure and body shape concerns play a significant in adolescents and are as well potential risk aspects in an eating disorder development.

Treatment and Control of Eating Disorder in Adolescents

Most adolescents can be assisted to control or relieved from the development eating disorders through a compressive medication. Usually, medication for an eating disorder needs a team approach such as family therapy, individual therapy, medication, close physician monitoring as well as the working closely with the nutritionist.

In most cases, adolescents suffer from other related problems such as anxiety, substance abuse and depression. It is therefore vital to identify and seek for appropriate medication for the problems too.

Stuck with research paper? Order custom research paper online - professional research paper writing service.

According to research studies, early recognition and medication results to more favorable results. It is important for parents to seek for pediatrician, physician or psychiatrist once the identify symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia Nervosa in their teenagers.