The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Think your teen has an eating disorder? Here’s what to do.
If you suspect your preteen or teenager has an eating disorder, talk to their doctor right away.
“It’s not the time to wait and see, or hope they’ll shake out of it,” says Veronica Issac, MD, a Cleveland Clinic adolescent medicine specialist. “Parents often tune in to an eating disorder before it’s evident to anyone else. And that’s the best time to address it, before it has lasting effects.”
Dr. Issac cares for patients at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Adolescent Medicine. In addition to treating eating disorders, she sees young people for reproductive and menstrual issues, mental health disorders (including anxiety, depression and ADHD), substance abuse and gender identity issues.
“As children transition into adults, it helps to have a specialist who understands their unique physical, mental and social health needs,” says Dr. Isaac. “We work closely with parents who are seeking help for their son or daughter.”
When it comes to eating disorders, parents should: 1. Get the facts. Eating disorders include anorexia (self-starvation), binge eating, bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by vomiting or other ways of purging) and restrictive food intake disorder. They usually start in adolescence. They occur in both girls and boys, regardless of weight or body type. An eating disorder can be deadly if it’s not treated. 2. Watch for signs. Sudden weight loss or gain, or great changes in weight can indicate an eating disorder. So can low energy, lightheadedness, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, and hair loss. 3. Learn about treatment options. Psychological therapy, nutritional rehabilitation and health monitoring are common.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Adolescent Medicine offers care for children and young adults ages 10-22 years. Specialists at the Center for Adolescent Medicine perform routine gynecologic and reproductive care and manage other medical concerns including eating disorders, gender identity issues, mood changes, and substance abuse.