National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is February 25 to March 3, so take the opportunity to learn about a condition that affects millions of young Americans every year. Recovery is a long road, but it is possible with the help of specialized programs, like therapeutic schools. Parents can learn more about defining, detecting, and treating eating disorders with the guide below.

Important Information About Eating Disorders

Common Types of Eating Disorders

There are many kinds of eating disorders that your child may be experiencing. Anorexia, perhaps the most well-known type, involves obsessive weight watching, calorie counting, and refusal to eat. People with anorexia tend to be severely underweight, but always believe they are overweight. Bulimia typically occurs as episodes of binge-eating, then purging to prevent weight gain.

Unbeknownst to many, binge-eating is also its own disorder and may be the most common eating disorder in the nation. These individuals will eat massive amounts of food quickly. Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) limits an individual’s ability to obtain the right amount of nutrients due to their distaste for certain aspects of food, or indifference to eating in general.

Signs for Parents to Watch For

Each eating disorder has its own set of symptoms, but in general, parents should watch out for unusual eating behaviors. If your child frequently comments on their own weight and calorie intake or calls themselves fat, they may have anorexia or bulimia. Hiding food and eating in secret are signs of binge-eating. Rapid intake of food in short periods of time could be either bulimia or binge-eating. Avoidance and fears centered around eating, especially certain types of food, can indicate a case of ARFID. If you notice your child suffering from any of these symptoms, it may be time to enroll them in a therapeutic school.

How Therapeutic Schools Might Benefit Your Child

Therapeutic schools provide a standard education supplemented by youth therapy tailored to your child’s needs. In order to fully and effectively address childhood mental health, one must build a connection between academics, family, and therapy. The therapists at these institutions keep track of and help students navigate all three. They give the support, counseling, and coaching necessary to help children overcome their individual challenges and grow. At a therapeutic school, your child will be guided on the path to academic, social, and emotional success.

No parent wants their child to suffer from an eating disorder. With Logos School of Saint Louis, MO, your child learns to take care of their mental and physical health. This therapeutic school’s Master level therapists encourage growth, healing, and recovery in every student with individual, behavior intervention, and group therapy. Your child will receive the direct assistance they need to thrive in school and in life. Call (314) 997-7002 to discuss the admissions process with a staff member. Learn more about their approach to academics, therapy, and parental involvement online.