Troubled Teens Resources

Teen help for anorexia usually includes treatment for yet another disorder that afflicts a number of troubled teenagers. Body Dysmorphic Disorder.(BDD) You’ll know it when you see it, however, you may not recognize the potential psychological problems that can accompany it.

A family member became alarmed last year when her daughter, Erin, took no interest in buying a summer wardrobe. As a child, Erin lived to swim at the club pool. Now she spent all her time inside the gym, in sweats, mercilessly pummeling a boxing bag or lifting weights.

Erin loathes her body. She spent an inordinate amount of time pre-occupied with studying her musculature in the mirror, looking for the first signs that her relentless weight lifting had begun to sculpt the dream body she desperately wanted to appear.

Erin was suffering from BDD. Left unattended, obsessions with physical appearance can precipitate teen age drug abuse via amphetamines - and more often in teen boys - steroids. Depression, self-harm and anger all can circle viciously around the troubled teenager unable to accept their appearance. What can parents do to help?

“There are several things parents can do to alleviate their child’s suffering. First, take the disorder seriously. Second, avoid reassuring your child that they look okay but instead encourage them to talk openly about their concerns. Third, encourage and support psychiatric treatment and discourage surgical treatment.”

(Source)

Follow the link above for more guidance.