An eating disorder is no laughing matter. Most patients would experience drastic weight loss as they deprive themselves of food to the point of near starvation. In other cases, patients would start binge-eating only to be overcome with an overwhelming feeling of guilt and regret afterward, leading them to start purging. More often than not, these conditions do not become apparent early on. However, the warning signs are there and their effects are certainly undeniable.
Of course, while most people associate these conditions with teenagers and adults, it is worth noting that the number of eating disorder cases among children is on the rise. Needless to say, these conditions pose serious health risks to young patients, find treatments for eating disorders.
This article discusses how families can help these children get better. It provides an overview of what an ideal treatment plan should look like. It also highlights the importance of fostering a stable environment for the child to ensure their quick recovery.
The Causes of Eating Disorders in Children
It should be stated here that there are several factors which contribute to the development of these eating disorders. Listed below are just some of them:
- Physiological Factors – This can include everything from hereditary factors to mineral deficiencies in the child’s diet. There are a number of physiological factors which can increase one’s likelihood of developing these eating disorders.
- Psychological Factors – Sadly enough, childhood depression and anxiety are becoming commonplace. The correlation between these mental conditions and eating disorders is certainly well documented.
- Social Factors – This category includes the child’s home environment, their body image, and the type of information they have access to. As you know, children are incredibly impressionable. Seemingly minor things can have long-lasting effects on the way they think and the way they perceive themselves.
More often than not, medical experts would be unable to pinpoint a single cause to why a child would develop an eating disorder. However, in most cases, these disorders arise due to a combination of several mitigating factors.
A Comprehensive Approach
In order for the treatment to be effective, it must be able to address the main cause of the problem. The eating disorder is often the tip of the iceberg. As you probably know, the condition itself is a behavioral disorder. This means that there is something else that needs to be treated aside from the actual symptoms themselves.
It is the treatment center’s duty to be able to get to the bottom of the patient’s compulsions. Needless to say, the treatment for your child should be able to address all the factors presented above. In order to do that, there must also be a team of medical professionals dedicated to every aspect of the child’s progress.
The Importance of the Family
The importance of the child’s family cannot be overstated. They will serve as the primary support group throughout the entire treatment process. Keep in mind that without it, the child will certainly have a harder time at it.
This article presents readers with an overview of the eating disorder treatment plan for children. Hopefully, this was able to shed some light on the issue.
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