Disordered Eating
A GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS
Medical Support
The Integrated Health Pathway is here to support your child’s mental and physical health. This Pathway gives you access to schedule appointments with a registered nurse and community health workers. These professionals provide psychoeducation, consult with your family’s specialist and primary care physicians, and can attend appointments with your family to help advocate for your child. They will also work to monitor your child’s vital signs and weight
Common Concerns we can support:
Body Image
Anorexia
Bulimia
Binge eating disorder
ARFID & More
Peer Support Mentors
Your child can receive ongoing support from a trained young adult who has lived experienced with mental health treatment.
Talk to your therapist about referring your child to the pathway today!
What does the Pathway provide for my child?
Enhanced assessments
To ensure your child is receiving the most effective and appropriate care we will provide monthly screening and assessments. These will be administered by our care coordinator and will be kept confidential. This will help us track your child’s success through the program.
Eating Assessments we administer:
EDE-Q - The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire is designed to assess the range, frequency and severity of behaviors associated with a diagnosis of an eating disorder CIA - Clinical Assessment Inventory for Eating Disorders. Measures 3 domains of impairment-personal, social, and cognitive-attributable to eating habits, exercising, or feelings about eating, shape, or weight
Parent Navigators
You can be partnered with a Parent Navigator who can help you find resources, build communication skills, and be the best parent you can be for your child.
Disordered Eating
Things to know about youth disordered eating:
Is it common?
There is no stereotype
It can affect thinking
Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescents after obesity and asthma. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are most common eating disorders in teens. They can lead to serious health problems and even death. Suicide is the number one cause of death in anorexia and bulimia.
Eating disorders affect people of all genders, races, ethnicities, weights, body shapes, sexual orientation, and income. Eating disorders are influenced by biology, environment, social, and psychological factors.
Eating disorders can compromise brain function. When a person does not get adequate nutrition regularly, a “starved brain” will affect decision making, concentration, memory, fear responses, interest in socializing, regulating emotions.
Things you can do to help your child today:
Strengthen family bonds
Be present with your child Model healthy coping skills
Participate in your child’s treatment
Prioritize family meals, incorporate fun activities with your child, spend time with them in ways that they choose. Listen carefully and allow them time to share.
Be sure to be present with your loved one and avoid dismissing their experiences. Try to listen, stay calm, and ask open-ended questions.
Notice your relationship with food and how you talk about your body image. Practice and model coping with stress in healthy ways such as exercise, prayer or meditation, enjoying hobbies, eating healthy food, spending time with loved ones.
Help you child attend all appointments as scheduled. Talk to your treatment team regularly for updates on your child’s care. Be sure to ask questions about best treatment, assessments, and purpose of paperwork.
