An eating disorder is a common condition that pediatricians diagnose in children and teenagers. If your child experiences this issue, you may be anxious about how to provide the proper support and help them overcome it. Below are several strategies to help your young one work through this mental health condition so that they can be happy and healthy.

How Can You Help a Child With an Eating Disorder?

1. Stay Educated

As a parent, the best tip is to try to understand what your child is going through. If you’re anxious about their diagnosis, channel that energy into education. Ask your child’s pediatrician about specific books to read on the subject, as well as what type of eating disorder your child has.

This will help you devise a strategy, as taking care of a child that refuses to eat—known as anorexia—is much different than one with bulimia, which is when they throw up after eating. The more you know, the more you can help your child recover.

2. Set an Example

When you indulge in a bag of chips or an ice cream sundae, own your decision to enjoy these treats. Don’t make comments about feeling guilty or needing to exercise away the calories. Even if you think these are playful remarks, they encourage negative thoughts in your child.

Instead, set an example of unconditional self-love, one that doesn’t rely on counting calories or weighing yourself. Also, when you see a friend or comment on characters in a movie, avoid talking about their figure, especially if they’ve recently lost weight. Rather, bring your child’s attention to other attributes, such as how they speak. This will encourage your child to decentralize their focus on body image.

3. Earn Their Trust

Like many mental illnesses, overcoming an eating disorder is not always straightforward. At first, your child may still throw out their school lunch or binge eat when you’re not home. To prevent them from keeping this from you, tell your child that you will not punish them for their actions.

Let them know that you understand that recovery will take time, and the best way for you to help is to stay informed. If you earn their trust, you can identify your child’s triggers, which are certain events or remarks that reignite harmful thought patterns.

If you believe your child is experiencing an eating disorder, contact Children & Adolescent Clinic PC. This Hastings, NE, pediatrician cares for a wide range of children and teens, from infants to college students. Their physicians will address your little one’s mental and physical health. They also offer 24/7 emergency services. To learn more about their compassionate team, visit the website. Call (402) 463-6828 to schedule an appointment.