KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
There are several behaviours and clues to look out for if you suspect that your teenaged daughter has an eating disorder. Here are some things to look out for:
- She skips meals, or eats very sparingly when she does eat.
- She will not eat in front of other people.
- She eats food in ritualistic ways, such as by cutting foods into very small pieces and chewing excessively.
- She is constantly making excuses so that she will not have to eat, such as telling you that she has an upset stomach or that she just ate with a friend.
- Eating habits change drastically. For example, she may eliminate any sweets from her diet or stop eating fats and meats.
- She begins to obsess over food labels and calorie content in foods.
- Becomes very depressed and upset with herself after eating a large or normal-sized meal.
- Excuses herself to the bathroom after eating, possibly to vomit.
- She weighs herself constantly, and becomes very upset about her weight.
- She loses a large amount of weight in a short period of time.
- She changes her style of clothing, wearing baggy shirts and pants either to hide fat or conceal excessive weight-loss.
- She begins taking diet pills or laxatives.
- She exercises compulsively, to the point of exhaustion.
- She becomes withdrawn, loses interest in former activities, and becomes very defensive when questioned about her behaviour.
