Eating disorders can occur for a variety of reasons. But it is important to understand anyone can ultimately develop an eating disorder. Adolescence can be a trying time for teens, especially those who struggle to foster and develop friendships with peers or who experience social ostracization. Teens and body image are strongly connected, as struggling with your body image can play a major role in the development of eating disorders.

Eating disorders can lead to serious medical and emotional problems, making it important to connect with treatment as soon as possible, as symptoms become more severe over time. If your teen struggles with an eating disorder, contact our North Carolina disordered eating treatment center today.

Teens and Body Image

Eating disorders are linked to teens and body image. Each year, just under 3% of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 are diagnosed with an eating disorder. Teens are more likely to struggle with anxiety and conflict with peers than adults, as puberty, peer pressure, and academics can cause significant stress. Although teens and body image problems are common, only some teens who have a negative body image develop an eating disorder.

When teens feel rejected by peers because of their weight or appearance, they can believe that there is something wrong with their bodies. Many times, body image problems develop in teens who are a healthy weight. Bullying can make body image problems worse for teens. If peers make insulting comments about a teen’s appearance, it can cause anxiety, depression, and a distorted perspective.

These negative events can make teens and body image problems synonymous. When teens are struggling with mental health symptoms, it can be difficult for them to ask for help. Teens may worry about being judged for having an eating disorder or poor body image, which can create a barrier to accessing treatment.

Teens with a negative body image may:

• Make demeaning comments about their weight or appearance
• Attempt to alter their appearance
• Diet

How We Treat Eating Disorders

With teens and body image problems common, eating disorder programs offer unique programs for adolescents. The reason it is important to start treatment early is that eating disorders can lead to serious medical problems, such as:

• Heart problems
• Malnutrition
• Organ damage
• Damage to the esophagus

While nutritional deficiencies can be remedied during treatment, they can weaken your immune system and impede growth. Factors like trauma, depression, and anxiety can lead to teens developing an eating disorder. That makes it essential to address the underlying cause to recover successfully. Failing to address underlying emotional problems can increase the risk of relapsing.

We treat eating disorders with evidence-based and holistic therapies. Since many teens with an eating disorder have a co-occurring mental health disorder, it is important to receive a psychological evaluation. A proper evaluation ensures that your treatment team develops an effective recovery plan.

At Foothills at Red Oak, treatment occurs at our inpatient teen eating disorder treatment center. An inpatient disordered eating program provides the highest level of care, which is perfect for teens with a severe eating disorder. Inpatient treatment programs provide access to medical professionals, which ensures that medical needs are identified and treated.

Finding Help Today at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery

Because teens and body image problems are common, many teens struggle with eating disorders. Like other mental health conditions, eating disorders require treatment. Early treatment improves recovery outcomes, making it important to reach out for help when your teen shows signs of an eating disorder. At Foothills at Red Oak, we want to help your teen overcome their mental health condition and thrive.

At our adolescent treatment center, we are equipped to provide treatment for disordered eating, substance use disorders, trauma, and other mental health issues. We provide a range of services that we tailor to the needs of each client. In doing so, we strive to give them the best chance possible for long-term recovery. Our therapeutic options include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Wilderness therapy
• Experiential therapy

With the help of these therapeutic options, your teenage son can begin the path towards recovery. Furthermore, because we offer a range of group therapy options, he can work with other teens his age who have similar struggles. This support can be crucial to recovery, but it can also result in life-long friendships.

Your teen doesn’t have to live with disordered eating any longer. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help. Contact us today at 866.300.5275 to discuss our teen treatment programs for boys.