The latest scientific research suggests that individuals who develop eating disorders, similar to drug and alcohol addiction, may have a predisposition that makes them vulnerable to these disorders. This vulnerability combined with a stressful experience may lead to the development of an eating disorder (or drug/alcohol addiction). There are generally genetic, behavioral, and cultural risk factors.
Teens begin to use disordered eating behaviors to control their moods, fears, anxieties, and troubling emotions. Our treatment goal is to assist your teen and your family to understand what function the eating disorder serves for her/him. We will help them to understand how they have come to use the symptoms of the eating disorder to relieve their distress, and address with them how their strategy to relieve distress is causing them further distress.