For many, the holiday season is a source of great joy, bringing merriment and indulgence after a long and trying year. But for many others, the holiday season brings anxiety and even dread.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 3% of teens suffer from an eating disorder. The kicker? Most of those who struggle do not receive treatment. This statistic can include friends, cousins, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts—and on and on the list goes. Early intervention is one of the most effective ways to help someone with an eating disorder heal, and being able to recognize the warning signs of an eating disorder is a great way to intervene.
Here are some signs that a loved one may be struggling with an eating disorder:
1. Refusing to eat with others
Oftentimes, eating disorders are cloaked in secrecy. If your best friend is gradually refusing to eat lunch with you in the cafeteria, or your sister is insisting that her holiday dinner plate be brought up to her room while she does homework, there may be cause for concern.
2. Fear, anger or anxiety around eating,
If your friend gets wide-eyed and panicky when you surprise them with a cupcake for her birthday, or they seem uneasy picking at their lunch, there’s a chance that there is something deeper going on inside.
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