Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Adolescence and How can Therapy Help – Signs and Treatment.

The crucial role of early therapy in long-term success overcoming adolescent eating disorders and the role social media plays in body image issues in teenagers.

By Ana Brown B.A Psychology (she/her). Reviewed by Dr. Pascale Piron, Psy.D., M.A., LCPC (she/her).

I was at a friend’s house having dinner while her young daughter watched a princess movie. Her daughter came to the dinning room a few times and chatted with us about things that only a 6- year- old could imagine. Until she became increasingly quieter and more focused on her TV screen. Right before I left, she approached me and asked if I thought she was as pretty as the princess in the movie and if she could eat the last piece of cake on the table, because she was afraid that eating cake “would not make her as pretty as the princess”. She was already becoming aware of her body image and the pressure to look a certain way. Sometimes even an apparent innocent princess movie on tv, comments heard in their household and school, or social media send wrong messages to young children who may be negatively impacted way into their adolescence. An important and vulnerable time for children who become highly influenced by the extensive use of unsupervised social media and other communication platforms.

Although the onset of eating disorders is more common in mid- to-late adolescence , there has been an alarming shift to as early as 9- year- old girls been diagnosed with some form of eating disorder.

Eating disorders in boys have generally been under reported. The American Psychological Association stated “boys have historically been excluded from research studies and the diagnostic criteria on eating disorders. A host of research from the past decade is now suggesting that these disorders, along with related mental health conditions such as body dysmorphia and subclinical disordered eating behaviors, don’t discriminate based on gender.”

According to the The National Eating Disorders Association eating disorders can be defined as follows:

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that are characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors and impairment in psychological functioning.”

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF EATING DISORDERS:

The Cleveland Clinic lists some of the possible causes of eating disorders although the exact cause is still unknown. But studies show that many possible factors are considered in the diagnosis:

Genetics: Our family genetic traits can directly impact our chances of developing eating disorders. Research shows that anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and being eating disorder run in families.
Brain Biology: Studies show that two chemical messengers and neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin are activated during certain eating behaviors. These chemicals are associated with pleasure, reward, motivation(dopamine) and mood regulation, sleep, appetite, digestion and learning(serotonin).
Cultural and social ideals: One of the most common causes in adolescence eating disorder is the pressure to “fit in” in a society regulated now by the digital era. The unrealistic goals set by social media, TV and film industry can negatively influence anyone’s self-esteem.
Undiagnosed mental health conditions: Many underlying mental health conditions such as trauma, anxiety and depression can trigger unhealthy eating habits that if left untreated could lead to an eating disorder.

WARNING SIGNS YOUR TEENAGER MAY DEVELOP AN EATING DISORDER:

As with any condition, we all experience symptoms in different ways, and a teenager may have one or more of these warning signs. It is important for parents and care givers to stay alert for any significant change in behaviors. The Uchicago Medicine lists some of the most common warning signs:

Skipping meals or food groups
Rigid rules at meal times
Significant weight loss
Avoiding social occasions involving food
Hyperfocused on counting calories
Excessive exercise
Cutting out caloric foods
Taking medication to suppress appetite
Self-medicating using laxatives
Weighing themselves multiple times a day
Secretive eating

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS THAT CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH EATING DISORDERS:

The changes in eating behaviors can lead to the physical symptoms below :

Digestive issues
Lack of concentration
Low energy and fatigue
Increased anxiety
Stress fractures
Bone loss
Teeth damage and calluses on knuckles from provoking vomiting.
Swelling of arms and legs.
Extreme weigh loss
Dizziness or fainting.
Constipation
Issues with temperature regulation

There has been an alarming rise of eating disorders in younger children and teenagers in the last 20 years. Reports by The Journal of Pediatrics show that “In the US, from 2018 to 2022, health visits related to eating disorders more than doubled among people under the age of 17, and visits for all eating disorders among this age group increased by 107.4%, from approximately 50 000 visits in early 2018 to >1000 000 in 2022.” As a parent, these numbers are not only a huge concern but the confirmation that we as caregivers must be vigilant at all times and seek professional help as soon as warning signs are noticed.

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS:

The The American Psychiatric Association outlines the following as the most common eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa: Driven by an intense fear of gaining weight, this disorder is characterized by self-starvation resulting in extreme low weight for the person’s height and age. There are 2 subtypes of anorexia nervosa, the restrictive type (individual lose weight by dieting,fasting and excessively exercising) and binge-eating (intermittent binge eating and/or purging behaviors).
Bulimia Nervosa: the ingestion of large number of foods in a short period of time, followed by guilt and shame, leading to self-inducing vomiting , intake of diuretics and laxatives in order to prevent weight gain. People suffering from bulimia nervosa is not necessarily underweight, and often recognizes there is an issue.
Binge Eating: Someone suffering from binge eating may have recurrent episodes of ingesting really large amounts of food associated with a lack of control. The person may eat whether they are hungry or not. There is no compensatory behaviors with this type of eating disorder.
Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Individuals suffering from ARFID significantly limit the volume and/or variety of foods they eat, leading to drastic weight loss, malnutrition and psychosocial issues. The difference between ARFID and anorexia nervosa and bulimia, is that the root cause is not body image but instead difficulties with sensory characteristics of food (appearance, smell, texture or taste), in addition to sensory characteristics an executive dysfunction such as fears of choking or vomiting may occur.

In a society that promotes restriction eating and dieting behaviors not only in adults but also in children, it is crucial that we support our youth in becoming aware of any warning signs and seeking professional help as soon as possible.

Therapy is one of the most important resources families can use to support their teenagers in coping with eating disorders. Whether it was triggered by biological traits or social media pressure, the focus should be on getting help and creating a treatment plan to get your child healthy again.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

HOW CAN THERAPY HELP YOUR TEENAGER COPE WITH EATING DISORDER SYMPTOMS:

The importance of therapy for teenagers suffering from eating disorders can be explained here by psychotherapist Julia Levy-Brown, M.A., LCPC from Emerge Psychology Group based in Chicago, IL:

Eating disorders can begin impacting people the moment our intuitive instincts with food and movement are influenced by our environment. Early intervention and recognition, especially in adolescence, can significantly influence treatment success. Therapists can improve recognition of disordered eating and body image concerns in adolescence by curiously engaging in conversation surrounding the following topics:

Client’s perception of the value food holds.

Client’s perception of the value body size/shape holds.

The messaging a client receives regarding expectations around food, movement, and bodies.”

Find a therapist here

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, always seek professional help immediately. Please call 911 or the suicide prevention lifeline at 988, or go to your local emergency room for immediate medical attention.

TYPES OF THERAPY FOR TEENAGERS DIAGNOSED WITH AN EATING DISORDER:

Psychotherapy: It creates a safe environment for discussion around body image , stress, teenager friendships, and family dynamics. It helps clients develop tools, or strategies as well as coping mechanisms by dispelling myths and false information dispensed by social media.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy has two components.The first one is to address and help clients change their thinking about food, and the second is to help client improve their behavior or reaction to that situation.
Family therapy: often recommended for children and teenagers, family therapy involves the whole family in supporting the child or teenager struggling with an eating disorder. Family members are encouraged to realize no one is to blame but rather should work together as a team, minimizing stress with improved communication, and helping their child or teenager develop a healthier relationship with food.

The path to healing from an eating disorder requires a lot support and adolescence is already such a vulnerable time for teenagers. It’s a period that includes so many significant changes that combined with the challenges of an eating disorder can be extremely overwhelming. It’s a time that can impact the mental health of our children with long lasting effects.

It does take a village to raise a child. I certainly could not have done it alone. Don’t wait to get help if you notice your teenager is struggling with body image, self-esteem, depression or anxiety and has shown concerning changes in their eating habits. We are parents, not super heroes. It’s ok to ask for help. It’s important to role model to our children that seeking help is not a sign weakness, but rather an act of love.

Be kind. Be brave. Be well.

Always with love,

Ana Brown is a Mental Health Content Writer.
She holds a B.A in Psychology and is fluent in
English, Spanish and Portuguese. Ana is a
strong advocate for mental health and believes
we can all heal through meaningful connections.
Live your best life.

Ana Brown

DISCLAIMER

The content of these webpages and blogs and information provided is for general information and educational purposes only and it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Seek professional help immediately if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or any other medical condition.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Emerge Psychology Group

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

National Institutes of Health

The Cleveland Clinic

American Psychological Association

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988

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How Therapy Rebuilds Confidence from within – The Path to Emotional Healing. CBT, Inner Child Work & More.

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Struggling with self-esteem? Understand and recognize the signs and discover how therapy helps inner child healing using powerful techniques.

By Ana Brown B.A Psychology, Mental Health Content Writer. Reviewed by Dr. Pascale Piron, Psy.D., M.A., LCPC.

April 22nd, 2025.

Have you ever watched a child perform in a school play? Dance or sing on a stage? Have you noticed how did they respond to their audience clapping and cheering them on? Usually, you can tell they are proud of themselves and if you are lucky you will be able to catch a big smile on their faces. I remember feeling powerful and so good about myself as a child after a piano or dance recital, because I accomplished a goal or learned a complex task. It built my sense of self. And the more I learned the better I felt about my talents and capabilities. But at some point, in our adolescence or adult lives, traumatic events can make us self-doubt or question our abilities. Faced with difficult events, adults can struggle to find solutions for adverse unexpected situations. For instance, teenagers may start comparing themselves to others, and we feel inadequate or a failure for not being able to perform as well under pressure , stress or loss. Our inner child becomes afraid and our self-esteem can be affected.

Our self-esteem is a trait we build on from early childhood. Contrary to popular belief, we are not born self-confident. Several factors can contribute or interfere with children’s and adult’s self-esteem. During our early childhood , if we have a supportive community, we are encouraged to develop skills which in turn make us feel good about ourselves, make us feel powerful and capable.

Studies show that self-esteem increases quickly up to age 30, these are the years that most of us are in school and building careers, learning complex roles. Self-esteem continues climbing but slightly more gradually up to age 60, and the sharp decline happens around age 90.

Self-esteem reflects a person’s physical self-image, view of their accomplishment and capabilities, and values and perceived success in living up to them, as well as the ways in which others view and respond to their person. The more positive the cumulative perception of these qualities and characteristics, the higher one’s self-esteem.”

American Psychological Association

According to an article by Beth Sissons on Medical News Today, several factors can directly affect one’s self-esteem or confidence such as but not limited to:

Work or school performance results
Pressure to excel from social media
Body image
Community support
Skill levels
Achievements
Pressure to fit in
Perfectionism
Bullying from school or work peers
Abusive environment
Discrimination
Family or relationship struggles

There are also additional factors which can negatively impact one’s self-esteem and mental health such as:

Excessive harsh criticism from parental or authority figures
Mental health disorders
Physical disabilities
Childhood trauma such as divorce or abuse
Emotionally distant parents

All of us at some point in our lives may experience negative feelings about ourselves, but if these feelings are persistent and are preventing us from achieving our full potential in all areas of our lives, then it is crucial to recognize the signs and seek professional help.

Our inner child is the part of us who carries emotions we experienced in our childhood. Having self-compassion and the ability to recognize any emotional wounds from childhood can help us move towards healing and develop a stronger sense of self, improving confidence and self-esteem.

Be kind to yourself

SIGNS OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM:

These are some of the most common signs of low self-esteem:

Constant negative self-talk
Self-doubting your own achievements
Difficulty in receiving compliments
Taking blame for other’s mistakes
Fear of challenges
Sensitivity to criticism
People pleasing
Fear of failure
Social withdrawal
Unhealthy habits such as alcohol or drug abuse

Sometimes even with the support of our loved ones, we find ourselves struggling to get out of difficult emotional situations. It’s a sign of courage to ask for help. A trained therapist can help clients discover their full potential and achieve success and accomplish goals.

Schedule appointment

HOW CAN THERAPY HELP REBUILD SELF-ESTEEM FROM WITHIN:

By providing a safe and nonjudgmental space, therapy is not only effective but also a neutral environment for clients to regain their self-esteem and confidence. Most important benefits from therapy to regain self-esteem are:

Manages negative thoughts and emotions
Develops coping mechanisms
Explores new hobbies and interests
Improves self-image
Builds self-acceptance
Explores past trauma experiences
Helps build support systems
Encourage growth
Set realistic goals
Improves or develops social skills
Teaches self-compassion exercises

TYPES OF THERAPY FOR REBUILDING SELF-ESTEEM:

While there are several different therapeutic approaches to self-esteem focused therapy, these are the most recommended:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Although cognitive behavioral therapy is suitable to a variety of psychological issues, it is particularly suitable for self-esteem improvement because self-esteem is maintained by cognitive factors. This approach involves cognitive restructuring by replacing negative thinking patterns by more appropriate positive thinking and behaviors.
Narrative Therapy: With this approach, the therapist encourages their clients to detach their problems from their identities. This creates a space allowing individuals to develop self compassion and a better and more clear understanding of their self-esteem struggles. Leading to healthier coping mechanisms and the recognition of their own power and abilities.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): This approach aims to encourage individuals to treat themselves with the same amount of compassion and care they treat others. It encourages self-acceptance which brings stress levels down and clients can focus on developing new paths to healing their inner child trauma experiences and improve their self-esteem.
Group Therapy: It helps clients connect with others who may be experiencing the same or similar negative feelings and low self-esteem. This experience may alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, giving clients an opportunity to share their own struggles and replace with a more empowered sense of self.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This long term type of therapy was developed from psychoanalysis and involves a therapist working with clients to explore between the unconscious part of our minds and our actions. It examines individuals deep thoughts and emotions that may be negatively impacting their self-esteem.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, always seek professional help immediately. Please call 911 or the suicide prevention lifeline at 988 or go to your local emergency room for immediate attention.

Find a therapist here

Celebrate all your achievements, even the small ones, they are the stepping stones to the big ones!

It’s not about feeling confident all the time, it’s about feeling aware that we as humans experience challenges all the time as part of our evolutionary process. It’s about enjoying our spiritual growth, which includes not only achievements but most importantly our failures and shortcomings. That’s when real learning and evolution happens. That’s when we should feel most proud of ourselves.

Failure does not mean defeat, it means opportunity for learning and growth.

I don’t believe in being perfect. I believe in embracing our humanity and our flaws and strengths, our uniqueness and differences as the only way to feel the real power that it is within all of us, the beautiful power of self-love.

You are a miracle. A miracle of nature and nature never makes mistakes.

Take a deep breath. There is so much beauty inside of you waiting to be unraveled.

Be kind. Be brave. Be well.

Always with love,

Ana Brown

Ana Brown is a Mental Health Content Writer.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology, is fluent in English,
Portuguese and Spanish. Ana believes we can all
heal through meaningful connections.
Live your best life.

Ana Brown

HELPFUL LINKS:

Emerge Psychology Group

National Library of Medicine

American Psychology Association

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988

DISCLAIMER:

The content of these webpages and blogs and information provided is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical or mental health condition. Seek professional help immediately if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or any other medical condition.

Late Bloomers-Finding Yourself Later in Life with Therapy.

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Navigating midlife transitions – How can therapy help Late Bloomers find clarity.

By Ana Brown B.A Psychology, Mental Health Content Writer. Reviewed by Dr. Pascale Piron , Psy.D., M.A., LCPC.

I live in a major city and cannot escape driving on highways. If I don’t take the highway then it takes me forever to get anywhere. But even with faster roads and GPS, sometimes I make the wrong turn, or there is an accident which slows traffic down and I arrive late. It happens. It’s life, for some reason or another some of us arrive at our desired destination a bit later in life.

Many circumstances in life can delay us from achieving our full identity and personal goals before our 50’s or 60’s. Some of us choose to follow common paths such as a career, marriage, children and all of these events that can take up most of our young adulthood. Most of us spend years trying to build a life so focused on family and careers that at some point we forget our own identity and what is true life purpose. It’s very common to experience feelings of loneliness, loss of identity and lack purpose after children grow up and move out, after retirement, divorce, death of a loved one, a serious medical issue and many other life changing moments.

The term “Late bloomer” for adults can be described here by Wikipedia:

A late blooming adult is a person who does not discover their talents and abilities until later than normally expected. In certain cases retirement may lead to discovery.”

Midlife can be a difficult transitional for many people and can negatively impact one’s mental health. Some stressors associated with midlife stage are:

Increased risk of depression
Increased risk of anxiety
Hormonal alterations
Perception of failure
Adjustment difficulties
Cognitive changes
Loneliness
Social Isolation
Body image issues
Financial hardships
Aging parents
Empty nest syndrome

Science and technology has come so far in the last century extending our life span much longer than our great grandparents could have ever imaged. This very notion should prompt us to believe that middle age no longer means old. Some of our abilities and talents although pre-wired in our brains take years to fully come to fully develop. According to an article by Scott Barry Kaufman published on the magazine Psychology Today about late bloomers “In the brain, information gets passed through wires called axons. Helping the wires deliver the information is a fatty coating called the myelin sheath. Myelin speeds the transmission of information, but knowledge itself, and the proliferation of nerve connections and circuits by which we access it, depend on the acquisition of experience. And that takes time. Humans don’t even reach their peak myelin volume until their 50’s.“

In summary, late blooming should be a time when we all feel self-confident and prepare to start our second chapter in life and embark in new adventures and enjoy all the results of the hard work put into our careers and family in our younger years. What research shows is a different reality, the majority of late bloomers are faced with many challenges during a mid life transition. One of the main struggles late bloomers face, is finding themselves or a new identity later in life. After years dedicating our lives to others or careers, or perhaps having experienced traumatic losses, it can be difficult to navigate alone a new journey of self-discovery during a new stage in life.

Self-discovery is an ongoing journey not a destination.

Seeking professional help from a psychologist can help clients discover their full potential and utilize a lifetime of experience into a new season of blooming into their true selves.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

HOW CAN THERAPY HELP LATE BLOOMERS FIND THEMSELVES :

Some of us have spent years being parents and caregivers, professionals with a full time career, but these roles may have come to an end, whether your children have grown up or it’s time for retirement. The loss of a lifetime identity can result in several mental health struggles and therapy can shine so much light into anyone’s path crossing these life transitional phases. Additional topics that therapy can help late bloomers with:

Understand untapped potential
Explore new identity or identify confusion
Address fear of failure
Encourage personal growth
Improve relationships
Build authentic confidence
Find new purpose in life
Reevaluate societal expectations of success

SOME TYPES OF THERAPY FOR LATE BLOOMERS:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients recognize negative thinking patterns and behaviors that may result in low self-esteem and feelings of failure.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Improves emotional regulation, increases distress tolerance and promotes healthier relationships.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR): Helpful for clients processing trauma from their past.
Family Therapy: It helps individuals improve communication skills, reduce conflict and help late bloomers understand their new path and family dynamics at a different stage in life.

Find a therapist here

Therapy can empower clients to take on new careers, hobbies and interests giving them new purpose and meaning. Having something positive to look forward to and discovering what truly makes us happy later in life prepare us for a healthier and a more fulfilled time during the late blooming years.

Personal fulfillment in later years can be achieved through self-discovery and owning your own time line for success. Let go of society unrealistic expectations that we all must follow the same path to success and personal achievement. We are all unique and will have to face different challenges in life. Embracing your uniqueness and allowing yourself to start a new chapter can be incredibly rewarding. Therapy can offer a safe space for clients to reflect, grow and transform themselves into their better versions later in life.

Life transitions are only opportunities to learn and conquer a new identity. A new chance to reinvent yourself, this time with a wealth of knowledge, a decreased chance of making mistakes and the joy to know that aging is a privilege to be cheered not feared.

Every season in life brings a bloom of new chances to finding the new you.

You are never too old and is never too late.

Be kind. Be brave. Be well.

Always with love,

Ana Brown

Ana Brown is a Mental Health Content Writer.
She holds a B.A in Psychology and speaks English,
Portuguese and Spanish. She believes in healing
ourselves through meaningful connections.

Ana Brown

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HELPFUL LINKS:

https://emergepg.com

https://apa.com

Best Ways to Cope with Anxiety

Finding meaning in the second half of life by James Hollis, PH.D

The power of purpose by Richard J. Leider

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call or text 988

Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 74141

DISCLAIMER:

The content of these webpages and blogs and information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Seek professional help immediately if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or any other medical condition.