If a teenager blames herself for conflict or abuse, she may develop an eating disorder out of self-punishment. At a time when everything around them is changing, many teenagers look for ways to exercise control where they can. Through behaviors related to anorexia and bulimia, your son may feel like he has power over his appearance and the reactions he receives from others. Even if he thinks his eating patterns are not entirely normal, he may feel he can stop the behavior whenever he wants to. The pursuit of perfection.
Teenagers face stresses unique to their age group.
Many are balancing schoolwork, home life, friendships, and extracurricular activities and jobs. They feel pressure to get good grades and get into college, or their parents may pressure them to be the star of the baseball team or the first-chair violinist. These pressures, combined with the pressure to fit in, can easily lead to eating disorders. What to look for The causes of low self-esteem and eating disorders are different for each individual. Educate yourself about eating disorders and the help that is available.