Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis. Parents, teachers, coaches, or instructors may be able to identify the child or adolescent with bulimia, although many persons with the disorder initially keep their illness very private and hidden. However, a child psychiatrist or a qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses bulimia in children and adolescents. A detailed history of the child s behavior from parents and teachers, clinical observations of the child s behavior, and, sometimes, psychological testing contribute to the diagnosis. Parents who note symptoms of bulimia in their child or teen can help by seeking an evaluation and treatment early.
Early treatment can often prevent future problems.
Bulimia, and the malnutrition that results, can adversely affect nearly every organ system in the body, increasing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Consult your child's physician for more information. Bulimia is usually treated with a combination of individual therapy, family therapy, behavior modification, and nutritional rehabilitation. Treatment should always be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the adolescent and family. Individual therapy usually includes both cognitive and behavioral techniques.