While you may feel the need to second guess yourself and explain away any of the symptoms you are seeing, don’t! If you’re wrong about your teen having an eating disorder, the worst that can happen is you get a little embarrassed and you have to fall back and regroup with your teen. If you ignore the situation and it is an eating disorder, your teen will pay with his/her health.
Seek professional help right away. Call your child’s pediatrician and/or school guidance office to get local resource information on eating disorders. Talk with your teen and keep reminding him/her that you are there and will always be there for him/her.
Don’t fall for the “I don't have that! Why don’t you believe me?” If this line is really getting to you and stopping you from taking the next step, use these words with your teen: “I want to be wrong, because I love you that much.” Then get on the phone and find out either way.
More Resources on Eating Disorders.
