Eating Disorders in Teens during Covid 19
Eating is a healthy habit but we should eat to our capacity only. Unless, it becomes a disease. Eating disorders in teens during covid 19 are not as common as the other mental disorders, but it can be as serious as the other ones.
It is nowadays seen that teens are developing more eating disorders than in the past. There can be many reasons why it is happening. Besides, We should definitely talk about this topic more often. Which is why this article can be really helpful if your child or you are having this disorder.And Covid 19 means lockdown, anxiety, pressure, career stress and what not. Yes, it is true that covid 19 anxiety is one of the causes of eating disorders among teens.
What are Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders are a type of Mental disorders, which are behavioral states, it disturbs our eating habits and is connected to distressing thoughts and emotions. It can be a very serious situation, which affects a person physically or psychologically.
The eating disorders are also classified as, Feeding and Eating Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM -5). Thus, It causes both emotional distress and many medical complications.
According to some research, this type of disorder affects only 5% of the population.Mostly it is developed in young adulthood. Plus, eating disorders are linked with food, shape or weight or with any anxiety about eating food.
Eating Disorders during covid 19 include behaviours like, prohibitive eating or avoiding specific food varieties, eating while watching TV, vomiting after eating, etc.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are seven types of Eating Disorders, which can affect teens and tweens especially:
There are two subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa;Restricting TypeBinge Eating Type
Symptoms
Teens who have Eating disorders never accept their condition. They may have mood swings and be depressed many times. Symptoms of Eating disorders are includes;
Effects of Eating Disorders
There are two effects of Eating disorders:
Body Dysmorphic DisorderGeneralized Anxiety DisorderObsessive Compulsive DisorderSocial Anxiety Disorder
Brain Mass LossDental problemsConstipation Disturbance in sleepLoss of HairLoss of Menstrual periodWeakness in bones
Eating Disorders in Covid-19 Pandemic
According to the psychologist Erin Accurso, the clinical director of the eating disorders program at the University of California, San Francisco, states that, in today’s pandemic situation, Eating disorders are becoming worse than before in teens.
There can be many different reasons for which it is increasing in the pandemic.
According to Dr. Walter Kaye, “People who end up with eating disorders tend to be anxious and stress sensitive — they don’t do well with uncertainty.”
As the result of uncertain activities of the pandemic, it is possible that this must have been the reason behind all the high prevalence that eating disorders got.
Thus, having online classes at home with food available near them had led the teenagers to eat more than usual to get over the boredom of the pandemic or stress about it.
Conclusion
Eating disorders can be a major issue of a teen’s mental health that should be treated very carefully.
Eating Disorders among teens are a type of Mental disorders, which are behavioral states, it disturbs our eating habits and is connected to distressing thoughts and emotions.
It can be a very serious situation like covid 19, which affects a person physically or psychologically.
And the pandemic, above all, increased it more than usual. There can be different reasons why it is increasing specifically in the pandemic such as the online classes and having food constantly available nearby.
Thus, it can be a major disease if not treated on time. If your child is having this disorder, comfort them and be there for them.
Reference
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disordershttps://www.verywellmind.com/eating-disorders-4157252https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx