One pattern of social media use that has drawn the attention of researchers is self-presentation and social comparison. Numerous studies have connected these behavioural patterns to negative mental health consequences, including perfectionism and eating disorders.
Like any person with an eating problem, children under 12 with early-onset eating disorders should receive professional support as soon as possible. Early interventions are associated with better outcomes, and treatment approaches have been adapted by researchers and professionals to effectively support young children.
Eating disorders usually develop during adolescence. But they are also common among young adults and adults, including among mothers. Food and body concerns that may not meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder – but are still harmful and distressing – are even more common.
Traditional care for anorexia nervosa focuses on weight restoration as the core aim of treatment and measure of recovery. It reduces recovery to numbers: when
For a long time, eating disorders were thought to mainly affect women. Even in scientific research, fewer than 1% of published papers that relate to
Disordered eating and eating disorders are both frequently used terms. You’ve probably heard them mentioned in articles, by doctors, or by schools. Disordered eating and eating disorders are already common among young people – and research suggests that both are increasing.
Teenagers and adolescents with eating disorders usually over-evaluate their shape and weight. Instead of placing their self-value in different aspects of their identity and personality, all or almost all of their self-worth relates to their body. Behaviours like body checking may reinforce a young person’s distorted beliefs about their own bodies, increase body dissatisfaction, and cause them to place even more self-value in their shape and weight.
When disordered eating behaviours meet certain criteria, someone may receive a diagnosis of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions involving disordered eating behaviours that significantly harm a young person’s mental and physical well-being.
Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their gender, age, background, or medical history. But young people with type one diabetes (T1D) are even more likely than other children or adolescents to develop the disorder.
As parents and caregivers, most of us will face moments when telling the whole truth feels incredibly difficult. Whether it’s explaining the death of a
Emotionally-based school refusal is often associated with anxiety. But there are many emotions and internal experiences that can lead to school refusal. These include separation anxiety, social anxiety, sadness and distress.
Emotional dysregulation develops when a young person’s emotional learning processes are disrupted. This might be because they lack stable environments and relationships that facilitate socio-emotional learning, or because their caregivers aren’t able to role model effective emotional regulation.
