Ed Schools

Image: istockphoto.com Tree in Meadow (00442826.jpg

EATING DISORDERS – A RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS

This is a resource to support teachers who work with adolescents some of whom may be affected by an eating disorder

Image: istockphoto.com Hands holding Seedling (00433167.jpg)


Jamie is 17. He is lonely and scared. He is suffering from anorexia. For a long time he felt in control of his body, his food intake and his hunger. Now his eating disorder controls him. Yes he likes being thin but he yearns to be better. Now he can’t stop. He arranges his life around every morsel he eats. He must eat alone and anyway its difficult to be with people so he avoids every social situation. His psychologist thinks its because he was bullied in primary school. “I hate that fat child”.


Eating Disorders are

• Not a form of dieting• Not “all about food”• Not a phase• Not a choice


(http://www.bodywhys.ie)


:


• Are a very serious and complex mental disorder

• Can be fatal• Effect males and females• Are about unmanageable feelings• Are a coping strategy• Begin mostly in adolescence

Eating Disorders


Eating Disorders at School


• BUILIDING RESILIENCE• DETECTION • SUPPORT• INTERVENTIONS


Dynamic mental health policy

Mental Health Programme integrated into curriculum

Fostering positive mental health attitudes and behaviours

Modelling inclusiveness

Promoting self-awareness, resilience and autonomy

Fostering resilience

Image: istockphoto.com Hands holding Seedling (00433167.jpg

http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/mental-health-matters-othermenu-58




• Promotes positive caring relationships• Promotes students emotional development fostering tolerance

and resilience• Improves ability to cope with adversity• Creates a positive school environment socially and educationally• Increases learning achievements and expectations


Image: Ian Kahn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net With Friends

An Effective Mental Health Strategy :

(Buckley et al 2009)


Being informed

An awareness of potential triggers

Understanding symptoms and signs

Detecting the signs



Eating Disorders

Social and

Cultural

Familial factors

Genetics and

personality

Causes are multifactorial

EATING DISORD

ERS

TRANSITIONS social,

emotional and developmental

CHALLENGES exams,

relationships LIFE TRAUMAS

bereavement family break-up, bullying, abuse


TRIGGERS DURING ADOLESENCE


characteristics

Skewed relationship with food

Refusal to maintain body weight

Body starved of vital nutrients

Irrational appraisal of body shape and food intake

Distorted thinking

ANOREXIA NERVOSA


Food Restriction Feeling of

control

Weight Loss –Reinforces behaviour

Stomach shrinks and protrudes

Fear of fatness

Distortions reinforced

Malnutrition sustains

fixated beliefs

Distorted body image

worsens

Anorexia Cycle of Self-Abuse


Psychological Effects of Anorexia

• Low Self Esteem• Denial of dieting, hunger,

craving• Deception• Irritability, conflict, inflexibility• Obsessive, ritualistic

behaviours• Distorted thinking• Depression/Anxiety/OCD



Physical effects of Anorexia

• Low blood pressure/poor circulation – heart failure

• Dry thinning hair/skin• Lanugo hair on face and body• Fatigue/restlessness• Loss of fertility• Osteoporosis• Cognitive dysfunction



Anorexia – signs in school

• Weight loss• Avoidance of eating

with others• Breaking food into

small pieces and other rituals

• Using bathroom after eating

• Social isolation• Not performing to

potential



characteristics

Recurrent episodes of binge eating

A sense of lack of control while binging

Compensatory vomiting, laxatives, exercise, fasting etc

Distorted thinking

Self-worth influenced by weight

BULIMIA NERVOSA


Physical effects of Bulimia

• Tiredness, insomnia• Calluses on fingers• Husky voice, mouth ulcers,

tooth erosion, gum disease• Irregular periods, fertility

problems• Osteoporosis• Depletion of electrolytes –

potential heart failure



Psychological Effects of Bulimia

• Preoccupied with dieting• Constantly concerned with

weight, shape, size• Volatile, irritable• Self-loathing, guilt, shame• Feelings of being ‘out of

control’• Depression



Bulimia – signs in school

• Low mood / low energy• Decreased concentration• Calluses on fingers / tooth

decay• Alternating dieting / over-

eating• Use of bathroom directly

after eating• Preoccupation with food



What to do?

• Be supportive, empathic, and caring

• Avoid judgement/blame• Avoid comments related

to appearance

SUPPORT

• Observe signs, note concerns

• Don’t overact or alarm student

• Advise counsellor

Image: Microsoft (00422532.jpg)


Helping the student with an Eating Disorder

• Effective communication • Supportive/safe

environment• Facilitate needs eg. need

to eat alone, avoid canteen etc

• Tolerance of symptoms• Limit opportunities for

bulimic behaviours

SUPPORT

Image: iCLIPART Blank Signposts (00449057.jp)g


Treatments • Re-feeding to healthy

BMI• Family Therapy,

Systemic approach• Counselling• CBT, Gestalt,

Behavioural

Image: istockphoto.com Tree in Meadow (00442826.jpg

Teacher/School Counsellor can recommendGP Visit

GP will assess and can recommend and/or provide referral to:

Support Services eg BodywhysCAMHS

Hospital AdmissionCounsellor/Psychologist


TreatmentServices

Image: istockphoto.com Tree in Meadow (00442826.jpg)


http://www.sphe.ie/ Post Primary Resource only. Contains guidelines and resources and runs courses on mental health for teachers

http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/mental-health-matters-othermenu-58 Mental Health Matters, a mental health resource pack for 14 – 18 year olds aims to which can be delivered as part of a SPHE programme.http://www.bodywhys.ie/supportingSomeone/teachers-youth-workers/ Bodywhys works with teachers and students to provide an understanding of eating disorders, as well as promoting positive body image amongst young people through the‘Be Body Positive’ schools programme delivered to class groups.

Image: istockphoto.com Tree in Meadow (00442826.jpgImage: istockphoto.com Hands holding Seedling (00433167.jpg)Image: Microsoft (00422532.jpg)Images Other: Authors Own

http://www.sphe.ie/




http://www.bodywhys.ie/supportingSomeone/teachers-youth-workers/



Health & Medicine

Ed Schools