An eating disorder is a serious mental disorder and can occur in teenagers. It can negatively affect both the physical and mental health of a person. If you believe your teenager may suffer from this disorder, you should get him or her professional help immediately.

Here are a few signs your teenager needs treatment for an eating disorder.

They Avoid Eating Dinner With Family

Teenagers who suffer from anorexia or bulimia typically do not like to eat around other people. They prefer to eat by themselves so that no one notices their strange eating habits. If your teenager often avoids dinner plans with the family, it may be a cause for concern.

They Wear Bigger Clothes

Pay attention to the types of clothes your teenager wears. If your teenager typically wears form-fitting clothing but has started wearing baggy clothing, something may be up. Sometimes people with eating disorders wear looser clothes so that others do not notice how skinny they are.

They Pick at Their Food

The next time you sit down to eat with your teenager, observe what he or she does with the food. Does your teenager constantly push the food around on the plate with a fork? If so, he or she may be deliberately playing with the food to avoid eating it.

They Have Extreme Body Insecurity

It is not abnormal for teenagers to feel insecure about the way they look from time to time. However, if your teenager constantly talks about how fat he or she is, there may be a bigger issue at hand. Being that self-conscious about your body may indicate an eating disorder.

They Exercise Excessively

There is no denying that regular exercise is good for teenagers. However, there can be too much of a good thing. If you notice that your teenager is working out much more often than normal, he or she may be trying to control his or her weight.

They Disappear After Dinner

Does your teenager frequently disappear for a while after dinner? If the answer is yes, there may be something wrong. Your teenager may be going to the bathroom to throw up.

If your teenager is displaying any of these signs, you should not ignore them. It is important to take immediate action. Contact an eating disorder treatment program and see if you can get your teenager placed into a facility. The earlier your teen is treated, the more likely he or she will recover.