Signs of Eating Disorders

 There are many signs to look for when it comes to eating disorders, there are many types of eating disorders so the signs will vary from one disorder to another.  Some common signs that seem to be common amongst most eating disorders include:

• A noticeable difference in one’s weight over a short period of time
• The teen chooses to eat alone most of the time
• Teen makes negative comments regarding body image
• Teen seems to be experiencing more anxiety or depression than usual
• Teen is extreme in regards to food and/or exercise

Obviously, this is not a complete list of signs of an eating disorder  but other signs vary greatly from one eating disorder to another. If you suspect your teen may be suffering from an eating disorder, read this Warning Signs of Eating Disorders article for more information.

Is My Teen Using Thinspiration?

How do I know if my teen is using thinspiration ideas to help him/her in weight-loss and dieting efforts? There are a number of things to look for, monitoring computer use is a big one but even if you monitor your teens computer use at home, you really have no idea what he/she is doing when away from home. Always be on the lookout for displays of pictures of extremely thin people, whether it is a poster in a bedroom, a graphic on a phone, a cover on a notebook, or any other place that the teen would see the image on a regular basis. In addition look for typed or hand written messages with sayings or quotes that use strong wording about weight, food, or body image. Some examples: fat lasts longer than flavor; if I eat anything, I will eat everything, so I eat nothing; or nothing tastes as good as thin feels. These messages are not teaching teens how to be healthy but are instead giving them a distorted image about health, weight and food.

How Can I Combat Thinspiration

There are a number of things that you, as a parent or friend, can do to help fight against the negative effects of thinspiration. First of all, try to always use positive talk in regards to weight, food and body image. Don’t comment on how fat someone is, how much weight your ice cream is going to make you gain, etc. Instead, focus on positive talk and topics, things like regular exercise and healthy eating habits. However you deal with it be sure to stay positive, teens that are struggling with eating disorders are typically suffering from low self-esteem and often anxiety and depression. Be sure to make it clear that you love and care about the teen and that you are not judging them but truly interested in his/her well-being. Eating disorders can be deadly and can lead to a number of short or long-term health problems. Don’t make light of the issue or think of it as a passing fancy; but realize that recovery takes time and celebrate every success.

According to these new statistics, many teens are likely to become addicted to alcohol and drugs because the teen is not fully developed by the time teens start participating in illegal activities like drinking alcohol and drug use. This early behavior can cause addictive traits at a young age, which is a problem these teens will bring into their adult lives. Having problems with addiction can lead these teens and young adults onto a fast road to further addictions and struggles including inability to hold down a job, attend college and find success as an adult. In fact, about one in three teens that do drugs or drink alcohol are already showing addictive traits and are in need of seeking treatment from some kind of drug treatment center or program. The CASA report also revealed that 75 percent of teens, that is about 10 million, in high schools throughout the United States have admitted to using addictive substances like tobacco, alcohol, cocaine and marijuana.

According to the CASA study, many of these teens that are trying and using these drugs and drinking on a regular basis are doing so as a way to cope with teen stress. Seeing these kinds of drug use and alcohol abuse in popular movies and main stream media also might be a contributing factor as to the rise in teen drug use and alcohol abuse, according to the new statistics and other research on teen drug use. Also included in the study, about one in four American teens that began using drugs under the age of 18 became addicted. About nine out of 10 Americans that are currently addicted to a substance, started smoking, drinking and/or using other drugs during their teen years. Because new statistics showing that teen drug use is up are so alarming, it is clear parents need to take a more aggressive approach to teen drug use prevention and early treatment efforts.

Obviously the best way to protect your teen from getting involved in these illegal activities is to watch what they do and to not be afraid to talk to them about the effects of drugs and drinking. They need to understand the risks they take when they start doing drugs regardless of the reason. If your teen is doing drugs or drinking alcohol as a way to deal with stress or just as an act of rebellion, it is important for you to get them treatment right away. Be aware of these risk factors and signs of drug abuse early on so you can catch the problem, and get your teen help right away, to stop the problem before it gets any worse. As a parent, it is important to help put a stop to these statistics showing an increase in teen drug use before the rates continue to climb.

Pro Ana-Mia websites became a growing trend in the early 2000s. Since then, thousands of websites have popped up online with communities of hundreds of young women and men working to lose weight or gain control over their weight by means of anorexia and bulimia. In a recent Internet survey, it was determined that an increase of 470 percent of Pro Ana-Mia websites that popped up from 2006 to 2007.  There is a slight difference between different Pro Ana-Mia websites. Some websites serve as an outlet for teens and young adults where they can go to the site, post blogs, comments, pictures and inspiration for how to lose weight through an eating disorder. However, there are also other types of Pro Ana-Mia websites that renounce a stance when it comes to supporting eating disorders or not. Many websites want to just provide these girls and boys who are dealing with eating issues where they can go to a place to get help with learning how to get past their eating disorder or get mental help. Other members of those sites might still be more dedicated to helping each others’ unhealthy eating habits. Many of the Pro Ana-Mia websites want to over non-judgmental support, while other sites indicate that anorexia and bulimia are not illnesses or disorders and instead are a lifestyle choice that should be respected by family members, friends and health care professionals.

Unfortunately these Pro Ana-Mia websites draw thousands of visitors each day where teen girls are a primary target for learning more methods about how to hide their eating disorder from friends, family and other concerned loved ones. The girls will share tactics and support for not eating. They will share diet tips, workout tips and other tips on how to avoid eating altogether, or how to throw up their food and hide the illness from their parents and doctors. Many members on the Pro Ana-Mia websites also regularly post updates on their weight loss progress looking for affirmation and acceptance from the other members. Because many teens with eating disorder issues have trouble making friends and keeping them in real life because of the secret life they must lead because of their eating disorder issues, they turn to the other members of these websites to find that sense of friendship. Many health care professionals from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders have taken then stance that Pro Ana-Mia websites pose a serious threat to its members not only because they offer teens thousands of listings to unhealthy dieting information, but they also build an unhealthy sense of community. According to a representative from ANAD, these websites lure those who are impressionable and persuade them into thinking that the Pro Ana-Mia online community is full of caring and nurturing advice. However, that is simply not the case.

If you are concerned that your son or daughter might have an eating disorder and might be part of an online community like a pro Ana-Mia website, it is a good idea to know which signs to look for to help prevent the eating disorder from getting out of hand and how to get your child professional help. Here are the signs to look for:

• Hidden behaviors
• Refusal to eat, or always wants to eat in his/her room
• Claims to be a vegetarian or vegan to have an excuse to avoid eating certain foods
• Wears a bracelet (red for anorexia, purple or blue for bulimia)
• Significant weight loss
• Evidence of binging and purging
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Refusal to hug or touch others
• Moodiness
• Won’t date
• Won’t go swimming or wear a bathing suit in front of others
• Constantly wears loose fitting clothes
• Works out to extreme levels
• Missed period

There are lots of signs that vary when it comes to having an eating disorder. Being a member of one of these pro Ana-Mia websites can lead to even worse symptoms and signs of self-destruction. It is important to monitor these behaviors that your teen might try to hide from your knowledge. Don’t let your teen become one of the millions of teens who struggle with an eating disorder.

Sources: prettythin.com

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University conducted a study that included an online survey of 1,000 high school students, 1,000 parents, and 500 school personnel; in-depth analyses of seven national data sets; interviews with 50 experts; five focus groups; and review of 2,000 scientific articles and reports.  As you can see, unlike many other random studies, CASA has done a thorough job in evaluating the situation from many angles.

The study suggests that adolescent substance use is America’s #1 public health problem.  Given this information it is very important that parents become involved in their children’s lives well before the critical teen years when teens are in their most vulnerable years.  The CASA report found that 9 out of 10 adult addicts started smoking, drinking or using drugs before the age of 18.

The statistics show that 1 in 4 American teens that started using before age 18 became addicted, compared to 1 in 25 who started using addictive substances at 21 years or older.  This stresses that addiction has roots to the teenage years when the brain is still developing.

Many parents feel drinking and smoking in the teenage years is just a “phase” or  a “rite of passage”.  According to the director of Drugfree.org, it is imperative that parents take action right way if they feel their child may be experimenting with drugs or drinking, especially if there are additional risk factors such as a family history of substance abuse or addiction, or a co-occurring mental health issue.

The CASA report revealed 75% (10 million) of all high school students have used tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine; 1 in 5 of them meets the criteria to become an addict.  The report found 46% (6.1 million) of all high school students currently use addictive substances; 1 in 3 of those meet the criteria for addiction.

LSD Facts: What is LSD?
LSD is an acronym for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. LSD is considered to be a hallucinogen. Hallucinogenic compounds found mostly in plants, mushrooms or their extracts are typically used, and have been for centuries for various rituals and religious ceremonies. Most of all the different types of hallucinogens contain nitrogen and are classified as an alkaloid. They also have a similar chemical structure to natural neurotransmitters like serotonin. This is how they are used to exert the same effects to influence the receptors on the brain. The exact way they work is that they interfere temporarily with the neurotransmitter action by binding to the receptor sites. This is why users who try LSD and other types of hallucinogens like peyote, psilocybin and PCP (phencyclidine) are able to achieve that level of high or “trip” when they use a substance like LSD. Many of these different types of hallucinogens were used primarily for anesthetics, but some have been discontinued for such a purpose because of its serious adverse effects.

The effects of LSD:
According to LSD facts, using LSD causes hallucinations, which are considered to be types of mental distortion in a person’s brain, altering their sense of reality. Under this altered sense of reality, the user may not see, hear, smell or feel sensations in the way they typically do. Some of these effects of LSD make people experience these sensations, but they aren’t real. They can produce rapid, intense and emotional mood swings. Under the influence of LSD, sensations and feelings are changed rapidly compared to the physical sensations. Under the influence of this drug, it is possible for a person to experience different emotions simultaneously. If taken in large enough doses, which is the idea for many frequent abusers, the person’s sense of time and space is altered. This experiences may seem to change the different sense. This may give the user a feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. These feelings are so bizarre, they may cause panic and terrifying thoughts of despair. Users feel like they will lose control, experiencing large amounts of fear and insanity. Long term effects like insanity and death can occur while using LSD, according to LSD facts.

Some users will experience flashbacks or remember certain parts of the drug experience. LSD flashbacks will occur suddenly and without warning. These flashbacks may happen within a few days of using the drug or even after a year or more since the LSD use. In some users or previous users, the flashbacks might cause severe enough distress to result in social impairment or problems with occupational functioning. This is known as a condition called hallucinogen-induced persisting perceptual disorder or HPPD, according to the LSD facts.

The results of using LSD:
Based on the LSD statistics, most users of the drug will stop using it or decrease the use of the drug on their own because it is not actually considered to be an addictive type of drug, since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, LSD does produce tolerance like many other types of illegal drugs. Because of this, the user will have to increase the dosage in order to experience the same level of high as before. This causes issues that can be extremely dangerous and even deadly since the drug is so unpredictable. It can affect users in a different way each time it is used, depending on the users state or mind and other environmental factors. Once you use the drug  in high enough doses, it can easily produce an overdose causing the user to go insane or die from too much going on in the system, or in some cases the user might get so messed up mentally from using the drug that they kill themselves.

Sources: nida.nih.gov, lsdandyou.zoomshare.com

There has been a big push to stop cyber bullying since several teenagers have committed suicide after major depression set in because of treatment they were facing online, through cell phone text messages or other methods of technology that were used to bully the teens. The word “bullycide” makes suicide a little easier to talk about and brings attention to just how serious the effects of bullying can be. Too often teens think they are being funny when they make cruel jokes, forward unflattering photos, or share untrue information about a person. They may not intend any serious harm, however, they can never know what devastating effects such behaviors can have on an individual.

Bullycide is what happens when bullying leads to suicide. There may not be any direct method of tracking the suicide to one particular event or instance that led up to the suicide but parents are telling their bullycide stories to make a point that even after multiple attempts at stopping the bullying and getting help for their teens they were not able to undo the terrible effects bullying had on their teen.  For some teens the only way they can see to stop the pain is by committing suicide. They have suffered so much for so long that these teens reach a point that they would rather be dead than remain a victim of teen violence and bullying any longer. The devastating effects of bullycide on families is incalculable. Parents, siblings, friends, community members, teachers, and others live with the terrible sadness and questions of what could I have done different to stop this.

Together we can stop bullying. If we can stop bullying we can stop bullycide. No one deserves to be bullied, there is nothing a person can do that makes them deserve to be mistreated. Often bullying occurs because someone takes something the wrong way and thinks that one person was trying to hurt them so they retaliate. By learning to talk through our problems with others we can stop the retaliation that takes place over insignificant events that weren’t even meant in the way they were taken. Talk to your teens. Practice problem solving skills at home. Teach them to let go of hard feelings and not retaliate, even when they have been treated badly. Responding to a bad action with another bad action is not going to make the situation better.

Most bullies that don’t see any results from their behavior will stop or look for someone else to bully. Help you teen understand that if they don’t allow someone else to hurt them then they will have the power to keep bullying out of their lives. If your child has been physically hurt because of bullying or teen violence, seek legal help immediately. There are laws that protect people from physical bullying. No teen should be scared to go to school or walk around the neighborhood. Do all you can to teach and support your teens.

What is the choking game?
The choking game is an activity that has found popularity among teens, but in recent years has garnered much media attention focusing on the deaths and other injuries that have resulted from the dangers of the choking game. The choking game is also known as a variety of other slang names like the fainting game, Blackout, Rocket Ride and more. The game works by intentionally cutting off oxygen and air supply to the brain through various actions with the intent to achieve a level of euphoria. Some teens will play this game with friends while others will attempt it alone. Many researchers have determined the primary goal of the game is to get high without the use of drugs.

Severe repercussions have been found to result from the dangers of the choking game. In some cases, teens who have played the game have been deprived of enough oxygen for a long enough of time to result in physical injuries and brain damage. In more serious situations, teens have actually died as a result from playing the choking game.

The choking works by strangulation, using a belt or rope, or using hand and arm pressure on the neck. When this happens, there are two responses that occur in the body. Insufficient blood flow to the brain combined with lack of oxygen can result in fainting. The heart race also decreases, which can result in cardiac arrest. There are several ways teens will play the choking game. Some of these ways include using a rope or belt, or having a friend place pressure on the neck.

How parents can prevent their child from playing the choking game:
One of the best ways you can prevent your child from experiencing the dangers of the choking game is to talk to them about it. Make sure they know the real risks that are associated with playing the game. There are also warning signs you can watch for to make sure they are not actively participating in the game including:

• Your child keeping a rope or plastic bag
• Bloodshot eyes
• Headaches
• Marks on the child’s neck

Injuries associated with the choking game:
When the brain is deprived of oxygen for a long enough period of time, there is a strong likelihood of severe brain damage that can result . This can range from permanent neurological function loss to difficulty concentrating, short term memory loss to lifelong mental disabilities. Death is also a severe outcome of lack of oxygen that can occur with the dangers of the choking game. Documentation of these instances of death during the choking game are difficult to track because in many cases the choking game death may have been mistakenly ruled a suicide. This is especially the case if the teen was trying the game by themselves and there was no other child or teen there to know what really happened. There about been about 82 teen and child deaths that have resulted from ages 6 to 19 since 1995 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority, about 86 percent of these deaths, were males. The death usually occurred when the teen was trying the choking game alone. Neurological damage like severe and long-term brain damages and other physical injuries as a result of the dangers of the choking game is even more difficult to track.

It is important for parents to talk to their child about the dangers of the choking game, and to be aware of the signs associated with teens who play the game. These are the best ways to ensure the prevention of death or serious injuries resulting to your child from playing dangerous games.

Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com, http://www.gaspinfo.com

Many parents of teens can understand that the teen years often the toughest. Many parents don’t know where to turn for help, which is why it is a good idea to visit FamilyFirstAid.org for information on teen issues. The goal of FamilyFirstAid.org is to provide the best information to parents about teen problems and assistance for commonly experienced teen issues including:

• Teen Depression
• Teen stress and anxiety
• School bullying
• Self esteem
• Weight issues
• Teen anger
• Sexual activity
• Teen violence
• Underage drinking
• Teen drug abuse

Take a few minutes to visit FamilyFirstAid.org for info on teen issues, you will find out more about these subjects and how to combat the struggles your teen continues to face. The articles offered at FamilyFirstAid.org are written to cover common teen struggles and issues and to assist and educate parents on the different types of treatment options that are available. Unfortunately there are times when the teen issues get too much for a parent to handle and outside resources must be sought. FamilyFirstAid.org has a lot of great information about various specialty boarding schools and treatment centers for teens who need additional help in combating some of their issues or who need a new environment to go to after finishing at a specialized treatment center. If a recovering teen returns to the same environment in which he/she was before going to a treatment center, the chance of relapse increases greatly. FamilyFirstAid can help you find the best Christian boarding school, military school, or other education option that will help your teen get started on a new path.

Whether it be alcohol, drug abuse or violent behaviors, some teens may grow beyond a parent’s control. The information found on the FamilyFirstAid.org provides parents with information about behavior modification options like boarding schools, residential treatment centers, private schools, Christian boarding schools, summer camps, teen boot camps and military school alternatives. These schools are designed to help the teen and their parents manage their struggles, change behavior and overcome addictions. Each type of treatment center has different requirements and options, that is why you the information at FamilyFirstAid is very helpful, it will give you an idea of what to look for and what questions to ask. Visit FamilyFirstAid.org for information on teen issues and to find out more about what the website has to offer.

Troubled Teen Help at FamilyFirstAid.org

A recent survey of law enforcement officials in 45 cities throughout the country indicate that there are nearly 1,500 youth gangs with more than 120,000 members. These gang statistics also revealed that gang youth members were responsible for committing about eleven percent of all crimes through gang violence. Violent offenses were three times higher for gang members compared with the number of violent offenses committed by non-gang delinquents.

What is a gang?
A gang consists of individuals, known as members, that group together to form a core. Core gang members may include leaders, associates, regulars and recruits. The core typically regulates the gang activity. The remaining members follow orders and the activities set forth by the core of the gang. Gang-related behaviors include gang violence, group organization, leadership, territory claims, use of symbolism and organized crime.

Who is joining gangs?

• The majority of gang members or recruits tend to be young males of either black or Hispanic origins, according to the recent gang statistics. Gang statistics indicate about 47 percent are of Hispanic origin, followed by 31 percent of gang members who are black.
•  Individuals of caucasian descent make up about 13 percent of gang members throughout the country, according to recent gang statistics.
• The gang statistics also revealed the number of female gang members is low (about 2 percent), but on the rise in comparison to previous years.
• About 25 percent of gang members are between the ages of 15 and 17.

Where are gangs most prevalent?

• In cities over 250,000 in population, 100 percent reported gang activity.
• About 11 percent of rural counties throughout the country have reported gang activity.
• Gang violence in Los Angeles and Chicago is responsible for more than half of all homicides reported in each of these two cities.

Although gang statistics indicate the number of gangs and related gang violence has gone down since the 1990s, the numbers are steadily on the rise again. Some progress can be attributed to increases in education and opportunities for potential gang members. It is important for parents and teachers to be cognizant of gang behaviors in relation to how it can affect their child. Prevention is the best way to keep children and teen gang involvement to a minimum.

Source: www.justice.gov

What are the teen cutting statistics?

• It can be difficult to acquire accurate teen cutting statistics because many teen cutters will never tell anyone. They view it is a private expression of hurt and anger.
• However, some cutting statistics report that about 25 percent of all teens and young adults inflict self harm through cutting or burning. Because so many of these cutting incidents are not reported, most cutting statistics are likely not even close to the actual number of cutters inflicting self harm.
• Most teens who engage in cutting are female, although the number of teenage males who are practicing cutting or self-mutilation are on the rise, according to many teen cutting statistics.

Why do teens exhibit cutting or other self-injury?

• Many teens cut or self-injure as a way to deal with difficult emotional experiences including sadness, teen stress and anxiety. Many teen cutting statistics report that the act of self-mutilation or cutting is used as a temporary relief from negative emotions. However, this is a form of a negative coping strategy as it can cause serious harm and mutilation to the body of the cutter.
• Although many people believe that teens are cutting themselves for attention, the opposite effect is really closer to the reality of the situation, according to cutting statistics. In fact, teens often do not tell anyone about their self-abusive behavior.

What are some treatment options?

• Counseling is a great option for those suffering from emotional problems severe enough to lead a teen to cutting. Often times, cutters just need to find a healthier way to express themselves. Counseling can help them with acceptance and healing of the underlying issues causing the need to self-mutilate
• Online support is another way teens can express themselves without causing self harm through cutting. Chatting online with other teens in a similar situation provides a more constructive outlet for releasing their emotions.
• Family and friend support is extremely important in helping cutting teens. It is best to not get mad at the teen for their behavior as that might contribute to the self injury problem.
• Physical exercise is known for producing endorphins that lead to a “high” that produces feelings of happiness and satisfaction. By doing more physical activities, the teen might be able to overcome the need to cut him/herself.

According to many teen cutting statistics, these methods of treatment have been effective in helping to reduce the number of cutting teens and self injury incidents. If you are a teen that has been cutting, or are a friend or family member of someone you suspect has been injuring oneself, seek help immediately. Talk to a trusted adult or talk to a local community health center. Help is available.

Sources:
healthland.time.com