As the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) highlights, data from the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A) discovered that the lifetime prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents ages 13-18 was nearly 2.7%. Unfortunately, eating disorders and other disordered eating behaviors among youth are often swept under the rug. Many are under the misconception that eating disorders are merely a lifestyle choice. Instead, an eating disorder is a serious psychological condition that interferes with an individual’s ability to function in daily life. Learning more about how an eating disorder impacts physical and mental health can help parents understand their daughter’s need for professional treatment.

At Clearview, we offer specialized treatment for girls struggling with a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions. We are not only committed to helping your daughter achieve successful symptom management but also long-term wellness at our Residential Treatment Center. If you discover that your daughter is struggling with an eating disorder, consider reaching out to us for professional support and guidance.

What Is an Eating Disorder?

As explained by NIMH, eating disorders are “associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder.” Meanwhile, these disturbances and preoccupations may be shaped by other life experiences resulting from trauma, bullying, and more.

There are several different types of eating disorders, each with its own consequences and concerns. The most common types of eating disorders include the following:

  • Anorexia nervosa: This disorder is characterized by the avoidance of food or severe restriction of food. Those with anorexia may believe they are overweight even when they are dangerously underweight. The two subtypes of anorexia include:
    • Restrictive subtype: This involves severe limitations in the amount or type of food they consume.
    • Binge-purge subtype: This involves severe food restriction in addition to binge-eating and purging episodes.
  • Bulimia nervosa: This disorder is commonly simply called bulimia. It is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of binge eating, which feel out of an individual’s control, followed by compensatory behavior such as vomiting, excessive laxatives, fasting, etc.
  • Binge-eating disorder: This condition is characterized by a lack of control over binge-eating episodes, involving eating unusually large amounts of food. These episodes are not followed by compensatory behavior and often lead to obesity.
  • Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): This disorder is characterized by a limitation in the amount or type of food eaten. The disorder is different from anorexia, as the behavior is not informed by distorted body image or a fear of gaining weight. More than just picky eating, ARFID causes those who suffer from it to fail to eat enough to grow and develop properly. This in turn triggers problems with normal body functioning.

How Each Type of Eating Disorder Impacts Physical Health

As mentioned previously, each of the aforementioned types of eating disorders impacts individuals differently. Yet, everyone struggling with eating disorders endures physical, mental, and emotional impacts that increase the risk of long-term health complications.

Anorexia Nervosa

Those struggling with anorexia may experience extreme weight loss, whereas those struggling with binge-eating disorder may experience extreme weight gain. Further, life-threatening symptoms may develop, including damage to internal organs, impaired brain development, thinning of the bones, muscle weakness, lethargy and exhaustion, and infertility, among other symptoms.

Bulimia Nervosa

Meanwhile, with bulimia nervosa, effects occur as a result of compensatory behavior. For instance, those who may vomit after binge-eating episodes may experience chronically inflamed sore throats, worn tooth enamel, severe dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances, among other effects.

Binge-Eating Disorder

With binge-eating disorder, individuals may continue to eat despite not feeling hungry or being uncomfortably full. In addition to fluctuations in weight, other physical impacts of a binge-eating disorder can include breathing problems, cardiovascular concerns, impaired immune system, gastrointestinal problems, and exhaustion.

ARFID

Lastly, the main physical effect of ARFID is impaired physical and/or cognitive development. As with anorexia, those with ARFID may also experience negative effects on nearly every organ in the body.

How an Eating Disorder Impacts Mental Health

Indeed, what a person eats significantly impacts their mental health. In the same way, disorganized or problematic eating behaviors also impact mental health. Though mental effects can vary depending on the unique type of eating disorder, some common effects include:

  • Negative self-image and harsh self-perception
  • A desire for control
  • Cyclical thought patterns; feelings of guilt and shame
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Imbalances in mood; ongoing irritability, anger, and sadness
  • Interpersonal problems
  • A loss of motivation to complete daily tasks and responsibilities
  • In severe cases, suicidal ideation

Compassionate Treatment for Your Daughter’s Eating Disorder at Clearview

At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we strive to provide compassionate treatment for all girls who walk through our doors. We know that many factors played a role in the development of your daughter’s eating disorder. That’s why we prioritize the use of trauma-informed care to assist your daughter in overcoming the root causes of her symptoms. Meanwhile, we employ a variety of evidence-based treatments to individualize our care, addressing the diverse needs of our students.

The impact of an eating disorder should not be underestimated. As an eating disorder can be life-threatening, it is necessary to connect with professional treatment and support as soon as possible to kickstart the recovery process. Recovery is not just about fixing eating habits. Rather, it is about breaking dysfunctional thinking patterns and learning to love oneself again and again. At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we use a variety of approaches and programs to help girls rebuild their lives while recovering from mental and behavioral health disorders. By working through emotional issues and developing a positive self-image, your daughter can move toward a better and brighter future in recovery. Learn more about our programs by calling 866-584-4788 today. 

At our center, we want to do more than help your daughter recover from her eating disorder or other mental, emotional, or behavioral symptoms. We want her to build a life worth living. Allow us to guide your family to lasting wellness.