Pay attention to the visible warning symptoms of a possible eating disorder

An eating disorder is a very complex problem. It is a serious condition that is related not only to the person’s diet, but also negatively affects the person’s health. Today, it is believed that every year and a half more than 4% of Spanish adolescents begin anorexic or bulimic behaviors. Although it is not a problem foreign to the male gender or to young children, whom it also affects but less frequently.

“According to studies, 1 in 5 adolescents is at risk of developing an eating disorder. Therefore, we must be attentive to any warning sign, characteristic, or exposure of an adolescent that increases their probability of suffering one,” says psychologist Rocío Rosés, director of the Mental Health Institute at the Sagrat Cor University Hospital in Barcelona.

The most vulnerable age segment

We must be alert to any warning signs, especially among adolescents.

This expert highlights that this type of abnormal behavior with food is usually frequent during adolescence, a stage of our life in which “we are more vulnerable” as it is a vital stage in which personality, self-esteem and social role They are in full development and in an environment in which social pressure for image and physique is very high.

Possible causes

In this sense, this psychologist highlights that its origin may be due to several factors, among which personality traits, genetic or biological, family, or sociocultural factors, among others, can be highlighted. Mainly, the most common eating disorders, as detailed by this specialist, are: anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder and obesity, among others.

All of them, as the director of the Institute of Mental Health of the Sagrat Cor University Hospital points out, are characterized by altered behavior regarding food intake, as well as by weight control behaviors, associating, as serious consequences, health problems not only physical, but also the psychosocial functioning of the individual.

Physical and psychosocial effects

The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia.
and binge eating disorder and obesity

Rocío Rosés maintains that eating disorders are also distinguished from other disorders by having an unhealthy relationship with food and body image, “which profoundly affects the perception that people have of themselves.” In turn, this expert highlights that eating disorders can sometimes lead those who suffer from them to give up such common day-to-day activities, such as going out with their friends, or doing some activity like going to the movies or going to the movies. the pool

Psychological factors

With all this, this expert provides the following psychological factors that usually distinguish people who usually suffer from an eating disorder:

• High self-demand.
• Perfectionism.
• Obsessive thoughts.
• Need for control.
• Cognitive rigidity.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Low self-esteem.
• Traumatic experiences (having suffered abuse, for example).

Warning signs

Among other signs for which to be alert or suspect that we may be with a person who may suffer from an eating disorder, we would find, as detailed by this psychologist:

• He cares about food.

• Shows extreme concern with weight and figure.

• He seems worried about eating in public.

• Use excessive amounts of mouthwash and gum.

• You get more tired than usual.

• Ask for opinions often about your physical appearance.

• He complains of constipation and abdominal pain.

• Presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.

• Avoid eating with other people (in the school yard).

• Significant fluctuations in weight.

• He feels bad for having eaten.

• He is more distant and isolated on a social level.

• There is evidence of overeating in a short period of time.

• Your self-esteem depends on your figure and your weight.

• Menstrual irregularities.

“Eating disorders cause emotional suffering and serious health risks. Furthermore, they negatively interfere with personal and social development. This is why this type of treatment needs to be multidisciplinary and a psychologist, a dietician-nutritionist and a psychiatrist, mainly, and a social worker must intervene,” highlights Rocío Rosés.