Treatment for Children, Adolescents and Teens with Eating Disorders in Silver Spring, Maryland
Eating disorders most frequently manifest themselves during adolescence. Older children and teenagers are exposed to so much pressure from peers and media regarding their looks that it sometimes manifests into a disorder. Sadly, many times family members or friends do not realize that a sickness is present before it is too late and their loved one must be hospitalized or worse.
I commonly see girls and young women in my psychiatric practice, but it should be noted that males can also suffer from the same issues. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia statistics show that in fact 10% of the sufferers are men. The prevalence may be even higher than this due to underreporting. There are some differences in the typical onset between males and females, however. Males tend to actually BE overweight before they develop the disorder, while on the other hand females tend to be of average weight. This difference is probably due to societal norms and because of the way the media in particular portrays women.
Whenever eating disorders occur, in either males or females, the underlying causes are normally the same: poor self image, the desire to belong, depression and other emotional issues. If you are the parent of someone you suspect is suffering from an eating disorder, please call right away. Together we can determine the best course of action.
I specialize in treating young people with eating disorders. Please contact me to set an appointment.