Home / Sharpen Self-paced Content / Eating Disorders
Managing Eating Disorders
Did you know that there are at LEAST SIX types of Eating Disorders? Yep, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, OSFED (Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder), UFED (Unidentified), and ARFID (Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) affect kids and adults from all kinds of backgrounds. The below film clip outlines the facts about primary types of eating disorders and has been evaluated by researchers in public health.
With so many people talking about dieting, losing weight and trying to keep up with the pressures to look perfect on social media, having a healthy relationship with food is almost impossible in today’s culture. For some adolescents and teens, there are times when the idea of eating food becomes so overwhelming and stressful, you may have panic attacks or feel incredibly anxious. Adolescents and teens who experience eating disorders often report feeling shaky or dizzy, panicked, trapped, having a rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath when these thoughts occur.
The great news is that eating disorders can be treated and the sooner a person gets into treatment, the better they feel. It is normal to manage stress through food, but if challenges with food, over-exercise, or restricting calories are affecting school or athletic performance, everyday functioning, relationships, or hold you back from the things you enjoy- it’s time to seek help.
“If I had known that what was happening to me was not uncommon and wasn’t strange … it would have been a catalyst to seek help."
~Sami
If you are in a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255.