Eating Disorders in Teens: Understanding the Struggles and Finding Hope in Kingwood, Texas
Why Teen Eating Disorders Deserve Attention. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect many teens today. Disorders like anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, and orthorexia often begin during adolescence, when body image and social pressures feel overwhelming. Teens may hide their struggles, but early intervention and counseling can make a life-saving difference. Families in Kingwood, Texas and surrounding areas can find support and resources to help their teen recover.
Common Types of Eating Disorders in Teens
Anorexia Nervosa
Teens with anorexia often restrict food, exercise excessively, or fear weight gain. Because of their perceptions of weight, they may demand they weigh too much, even when they are underweight. This disorder can cause severe health problems and needs immediate attention.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia involves cycles of over-eating followed by purging, which can include vomiting, laxative use, or extreme exercise. Teens often feel trapped in this cycle and experience guilt or shame afterward.
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
Unlike anorexia or bulimia, ARFID is not about weight or body image. Instead, teens with ARFID avoid foods due to texture, taste, or fear of choking. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and social isolation.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia is an obsession with “clean” or “healthy” eating. While wanting to eat well is normal, teens with orthorexia take it to extremes, cutting out food groups and feeling anxious or guilty if they break their food rules.
The Connection Between Anxiety, OCD, and Perfectionism
Many teens with eating disorders also struggle with anxiety, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), or perfectionism. They may use rigid food rules or body image standards as a way to cope with stress or gain control. Unfortunately, these behaviors make the anxiety worse over time.
For example:
A teen with OCD may feel compelled to count calories or weigh themselves repeatedly.
A perfectionist teen may believe their worth depends on achieving the “perfect” body.
Anxiety can fuel negative thoughts about appearance, food, and social acceptance.
How Counseling Supports Recovery
Counseling provides a safe space for teens to talk about their struggles and learn healthier coping skills. In Kingwood, Texas, licensed counselors work with teens and families using evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family-based treatment.
Counseling helps teens:
Challenge harmful thoughts about food and body image
Develop balanced eating habits
Manage anxiety, perfectionism, and obsessive behaviors
Build confidence and self-compassion
With the right support, recovery is possible, and teens can regain a healthy relationship with food and themselves.
Supporting a Teen with an Eating Disorder
Parents and caregivers play an important role in recovery. Here are a few ways to help:
Notice warning signs such as food restriction, obsessive calorie counting, or sudden weight changes.
Approach your teen with compassion, not criticism.
Encourage open communication and professional counseling.
Remind your teen that their worth is not tied to weight, looks, or perfection.
Finding Eating Disorder Help in Kingwood, Texas
Eating disorders are difficult, but no teen should face them alone. If your teen struggles with anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, ARFID, anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, or body image concerns, reaching out for counseling in Kingwood, Texas can make a real difference. Healing is possible with the right support system.
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