Signs of mental health issues and eating disorders in adolescents
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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on the mental health of children and adolescents. The number of children and adolescents with eating disorders also has increased dramatically, according to Dr. Catherine Gordon, chair of pediatrics at 草榴社区入口 and pediatrician-in-chief at Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital. That鈥檚 why it is important for parents, family members and teachers to be aware of signs of distress and know when to take action.
Children are experiencing more stress at home, due to events such as a parent losing a job or a relative dying of COVID-19. In addition, quarantining and remote education have disrupted children鈥檚 routines, which has led to increased anxiety and depression, Gordon said.
鈥淚n-person education is important for socialization as well as academic enrichment,鈥 Gordon said. 鈥淲e know that it鈥檚 hard for students to receive consistent education at home, and it hasn鈥檛 been the same for them as being in a classroom and interacting with a teacher and peers. They have also missed out on extracurricular activities that are critical for their development.鈥
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Dr. Catherine Gordon
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Gordon offers these tips to parents concerned about anxiety and depression in their children:
- Watch for signs of children tuning out or not wanting to engage in family activities.
- Ask open-ended questions to engage your child in conversation such as 鈥淗ow are you doing?鈥
- Address the behavior you see. For example: 鈥淵ou seem anxious to me. Did something upset you? Can you tell me about it?鈥
- Contact your pediatrician or school counselor if you鈥檙e concerned.
鈥淚 always tell parents to listen more than talk,鈥 Gordon said. 鈥淓nable a child or teenager to share their feelings and let them know that it is okay to feel upset. Expressing feelings is a way to help them process something that may be troubling them and can ward off depression in the long-term.鈥
Eating disorders also are being diagnosed more frequently during the pandemic, often occurring as a manifestation of stress and anxiety.
鈥淎n eating disorder can be a sign of an adolescent trying to regain control by restricting what they will and will not eat,鈥 Gordon said.
Signs of an eating disorder may include:
- Skipping meals
- Refusing to eat certain types of foods
- New restrictions on specific foods
- Talking frequently about eating but only picking at a meal
- Consuming caffeinated beverages to try to suppress appetite
- Compulsive exercise, especially after meals
鈥淚f your adolescent is not finishing his or her meals, gently ask about it,鈥 Gordon said. 鈥淢onitor whether school lunches are being eaten from a lunch box and whether meals or snacks are being thrown away. It is important to approach the adolescent with concern rather than in a punitive way. An adolescent is more likely to open up when a parent is supportive.鈥
The care of eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach, including a physician or nurse practitioner trained in eating disorders (often adolescent medicine), a dietician and a mental health professional. According to Gordon, the treatment of an eating disorder is not a 鈥渜uick fix鈥 and typically requires months of multidisciplinary care. Eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, often are a disease of denial and can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages.
鈥淚f a parent begins to worry, it is a good idea to run concerns by the child鈥檚 primary care provider for guidance,鈥 Gordon said. 鈥淎 delayed diagnosis can lead to a more severe presentation once uncovered and even the need for hospitalization. An early diagnosis can lead to the adolescent being managed in the outpatient setting and more quickly getting on the road to recovery.鈥