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Youth - Understanding Eating Disorders
Youth - Understanding Eating Disorders
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Physical effects of eating disorders include: weight loss or gain; faintness, dizziness or tiredness; stopping of periods (in girls); dry, brittle hair, skin and nails and constipation, diarrhoea or cramps. Eating disorders also cause serious health problems like weakening of the bones, kidney problems, headaches, constipation or diarrhoea, fainting and heart problems. In severe cases, people can end up in hospital and may even die.
TAKING ACTION
Many people try to hide their eating disorders. But getting help quickly is important. If you think you have an eating disorder its important to talk about it honestly and openly.
A doctor or counsellor can help you to explore your beliefs and behaviours about weight, and how you feel about yourself. They can guide you in finding better ways of managing your feelings and having a healthier and more positive approach to yourself, food and weight. Giving yourself a new focus can also help. This might mean finding a new interest or taking up a hobby. Spending time with people who are positive and supportive can also help you along the way. Talking to someone who has recovered from an eating disorder can be especially helpful. Recovery time is quicker for some people than for others, and the old feelings and behaviours may come back. Some people find that when they let go of their eating disorder, they experience other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. It may be that these problems were always there and the eating disorder was a way to cope with them. If this happens to you, its important to talk to your doctor and work out the underlying cause.
Reach Out! www.reachout.com.au Information and support for young people going through tough times Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders www.anzaed.org.au Information on eating disorders (see Resources) The websites below can help you to find health services in your area. They list services that are either free of charge or low cost: Kids Help Line www.kidshelp.com.au Lifeline Service Finder www.lifeline.org.au/service_finder If you or a friend want to communicate with someone via email or online, Kids Help Line offers confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.