These binges may alternate with severe diets, resulting in dramatic weight fluctuations. Teenagers may try to hide the signs of throwing up by running water while spending long periods of time in the bathroom. The purging of bulimia presents a serious threat to the patient's physical health, including dehydration, hormonal imbalance, the depletion of important minerals, and damage to vital organs. With comprehensive treatment, most teenagers can be relieved of the symptoms or helped to control eating disorders. It is important to recognize and get appropriate treatment for these problems as well.
Research shows that early identification and treatment leads to more favorable outcomes.
This fund supports educational programs and materials designed to educate parents, families, teachers, caregivers, and others about the mental illnesses affecting nearly 12.5 million children and adolescents in an effort to de-stigmatize these illnesses, promote early identification and treatment, and encourage funding for scientifically based research. Please make a tax deductible contribution to the Academy Endowment Fund and support this public outreach. Facts for Families is developed and distributed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry . Facts sheets may be reproduced for personal or educational use without written permission, but cannot be included in material presented for sale or profit. All copyrights are protected.