Common Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents- Quick Reference Guide for Parents or Caregivers
Anorexia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by food restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and in some instances binging and purging behavior. As a parent or caregiver, being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa in your child is key for early intervention and ensuring effective treatment.
In this blog, we highlight the most common signs and symptoms parents or caregivers can look out for in their children. In addition, we provide links to a free screening tool and previous blogs in which we highlight how you can support your child through treatment and recovery.
- Significant Weight Loss or Failure to Gain Weight: A common sign of anorexia nervosa in adolescents is significant weight loss or failure to gain weight during growth. Parents may observe that their child’s clothes become loose-fitting, or they appear significantly and progressively thinner.
- Distorted Body Image: A hallmark sign for concern is even though the child is underweight or malnourished, adolescents with anorexia may continue to express dissatisfaction with their body size and shape and continue utilizing restrictive eating behaviors. They may perceive themselves as “fat” despite being severely underweight. Parents may observe body-checking behaviors such as pinching skin or repeatedly measuring their body parts.
- Obsessive Preoccupation with Food and Calories: Adolescents with anorexia nervosa often develop an obsessive preoccupation with food, calories, and nutritional content. They may diligently count calories, avoid certain foods or food groups regarded as “unhealthy,” and adhere to strict dietary rules. Parents may observe other behaviors such as meticulously weighing portions, visible distress when measuring portion size, obsessively studying food labels, or expressing distress overeating foods perceived as unhealthy.
- Social Withdrawal: Anorexia nervosa often leads to avoidance of social activities and isolation as the child becomes increasingly dedicated to their eating disorder behaviors and preoccupied with body image. Parents may notice their child will avoid social gatherings where food is present or make excuses to skip meals with family members.
- Medical Complications: Anorexia nervosa can cultivate significant physical and health complications due to malnutrition, starvation, and purging. These symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, fainting, hair loss, dry skin, and brittle nails. In severe cases, anorexia nervosa can lead to serious medical complications such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac irregularities, and organ damage. Delaying treatment can increase the risk of more significant complications.
Early intervention is key to increasing the effectiveness of treatment for adolescents suffering with anorexia nervosa. When parents observe changes in eating behaviors, fluctuations in weight, increases in social isolation or new medical complications they should seek professional support for their child immediately.
Free Screening Tool
If you are concerned that your child may be suffering with anorexia we offer a free confidential eating disorder quiz on our website. The quiz is based on an empirically validated tool, the SCOFF, which consists of five simple questions. Once completed one of our compassionate team members will reach out to learn more about the situation and explore options for your family. You can click here to take the quiz.
In addition, below you will find links to two blog posts describing how you can support your adolescent through an eating disorder as well as motivate older adolescents to seek treatment.
Additional Resources:
Click Here For: How to Support Your Adolescent Through an Eating Disorder.
Click Here For: How to Encourage Older Adolescent Children (15-17 year olds) to Seek Treatment