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Eating disorders are somewhat misunderstood. Many people think they are a problem pertaining to the physical health, but that’s not true. Eating disorders are a mental issue that leads to distorted relationship with food and behavior towards it.
Alongside having a grave impact on the mental health, eating disorders also endanger physical health as well, meriting then the intervention of the Best Child Specialist in Lahore.
Different types of eating disorders
There are different types of eating disorders, but the more common ones include:
Anorexia nervosa: People with this condition have a phobia of becoming fat. They have body dysmorphia, so they think they appear fat. Consequently, they stop eating. Anorexia is fairly common in young girls, as society puts a lot of pressure on women to appear thin.
Binge eating disorder: Children with binge eating disorder tend to overeat and that too, in a small amount of time. Binge eating disorder causes obesity alongside other health problems.
Bulimia nervosa: In this eating disorder, people might eat, or binge eat, and then throw up the food or use laxatives so that the food is not assimilated.
Signs of eating disorders in children
The signs of eating disorders vary as per the type of disorder, but some commonly observed symptoms include:
Behavioral changes
Children who have eating disorders undergo personality changes, whereby they tend to focus more over perfectionism. They might also become obsessed with calories. Similarly, there is also fixation on the dress size, body dimensions, and the weight.
Visits to the loo
Children who have bulimia tend either to use laxatives or vomit. They thus have to make many trips to the loo. Moreover, they tend to go right away eating, to purge the food. If you observe this behavior, then your hackles should be raised.
Physical health changes
If your child is gaining weight, or losing it rapidly, then it might be due to eating disorders. Other signs of lack of inadequate nutrition like hair loss, digestive issues, etc. are also symptoms to watch out for.
Diagnosis
If you suspect your child has eating disorder, or your doctor thinks so, they then need to get tested for the condition. Eating disorders require physical and psychological exams alongside comprehensive study of the family history.
Dealing with your child’s eating disorder
If your child is diagnosed with an eating disorder, apart from getting them treatment, there are things you can do to improve their symptoms.
Be patient with them
The road to recovery is a long one, so it is imperative that you be patient with your child. It is tough seeing your child in ordeal, but you must stay strong to support them.
Be watchful of your language
You also need to be careful about the language that you use around your child. Do not talk about body image in a way that affirms their distorted beliefs, like lauding someone because they have lost weight.
Similarly, be careful about the way you talk about food with them. Do not use the labels good or bad with food, as it will lead to confusion in their minds.
Let them speak
You need to encourage your child to speak their mind. It will encourage them to talk about their any issues that they are facing, know that their parents will not dismiss them and their concerns.
Spend time with them
Your child needs most care and love when they are vulnerable. To offer them support, spend quality time with them. It is also a great way to connect to your child, so in case they are struggling through mental health issues otherwise, they know they can count on you to be there.
Playing sports together, reading together, gardening with each are some helpful things you can do along the way.
Consulting your doctor
To make sure that your child is improving, and the treatment is working, it is also helpful to keep in contact with their Pediatrician in Karachi.
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