Get Adobe Flash player
NEDA TOOLKIT for Parents My child is too young to develop an eating disorder. My son has bulimia, so he won’t develop another type of eating disorder. Eating disorders can develop or re-emerge at any age. Eating disorder specialists are reporting an increase in the diagnosis of children, some as young as five or six. Many eating disorder sufferers report that their thoughts and behaviors started much earlier than anyone realized, sometimes even in early childhood. Picky eating is common in young children, but doesn’t necessarily indicate an eating disorder. Although most people report the onset of their eating disorder in their teens and young adulthood, there is some evidence that people are being diagnosed at younger ages. It’s not clear whether individuals are actually developing eating disorders at younger ages or if an increased awareness of eating disorders in young children has led to improved recognition and diagnosis. Many with eating disorders will suffer from more than one disorder before they ultimately recover. Roughly half of all people with anorexia will go on to develop bulimia. Some individuals show signs of both anorexia and bulimia simultaneously, regularly binge eating and they may also purge while at a low weight (this is clinically classified as anorexia, binge/purge type). Still others transition from one diagnosis to another, a process known as diagnostic cross-over. All may involve life-threatening consequences. Now that my loved one is no longer a teenager, I don’t have to worry about an eating disorder. They’ll grow out of it. People can struggle with an eating disorder regardless of their age. Research literature has identified a subset of people with eating disorders who seem to recover spontaneously, without treatment. However, many people who struggle with eating disorders and disordered eating in their teens continue to struggle into adulthood unless they receive treatment. Men and women at midlife and beyond are being treated for eating disorders, either due to a relapse, ongoing illness from adolescence or young adulthood, or due to the new onset of an eating disorder. I’m not worried about my friend because everyone eats too much ice cream sometimes. Everyone must have binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder only affects 3.5% of women, 2% of men and up to 1.6% of adolescents, and it is not the same thing as occasionally eating more than is comfortable. Those who are struggling with binge eating disorder engage in recurring episodes – at least once per week over three months – in which they eat significantly more food in a short space of time than most people would, and experience a sense of loss of control over their eating behavior. The frequency and severity of the disorder have a significantly negative impact on the individual’s life, with many sufferers experiencing co-occurring conditions such as major depression and anxiety. Purging only involves self-induced vomiting. Purging includes any method of removing food from the body before it is fully digested. Many times, an individual is driven to purge to compensate for what was perceived as excessive food intake. While self- induced vomiting is one of the most common ways that an individual will purge, it’s far from the only method. Individuals can also use laxatives and enemas, as well as use non-purging compensatory behaviors, such as abusing insulin, fasting, and excessive exercising. Individuals can also purge by using more than one method. Each method carries its own particular risks, but all involve potentially life-threatening electrolyte imbalances. Once my daughter with anorexia gains weight, she will be fine. Weight and nutritional restoration are only the first steps to anorexia recovery. Once an anorexia sufferer has returned to a weight that is healthy for them, they can usually participate more fully and meaningfully in psychotherapy. Other psychological work usually needs to be done so the person can manage difficult emotions without resorting to anorexic behaviors. Weight recovery alone does not mean the eating disorder is cured. Page  | 9