“Accept that this is a disease, not a “fidget”, consult a qualified scientist and arm yourself with patience and perseverance.” These are the tips that Mr. Stelios, a member of the Association of Parents and Friends of Eating Disorders Espritfo, gives to parents who suspect their child has an eating disorder.

“I found myself in this position in 2014 when my teenage son developed anorexia nervosa,” he recalls on the occasion of the day organized by the association a few days ago, under the heavy shadow of significant growth eating disorders after the pandemic and self-isolation. According to records in 80 US hospitals, the increase in adolescent patients has already increased by 25% in 2021. European Society Study Mental health of children and adolescentswhich was attended by 72 experts from 22 countries (including Greece), indicates a significant increase in the incidence of eating disorders as a result of the pandemic and a worsening of symptoms ranging from 8% to 78%.

New forms

According to EKPA Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and President of the Hellenic Society for Adolescent Medicine, Artemis Tsitsika.

“The amount of time preschoolers and teens spend in front of screens and on social media has also increased significantly, dominated by particular ‘beauty standards’ and extensive ‘sexualization’ of childhood,” he notes. Orthorexia, that is, the obsession with healthy eating and the consumption of “clean” foods, in those who existed before, has reached its peak. “Those who are also obsessed with fitness were significantly deregulated when gyms closed, as were athletes who stopped exercising,” he adds.

Some stick to milk, others ages 2 and up eat ground foods, some older ones prefer certain foods and refuse to try new flavors.

“Many teenagers experienced depressed mood, withdrawal and lack of motivation. The adults in the house were exhausted and could hardly cope with their role, ”he recalls. “As a result of the above, the overall incidence of dietary abnormalities has increased by about 50%, while new expressions have also emerged that are likely also associated with online culture.”

“Need hospitalization”

RS. Irini Charalambidou, child psychiatrist of the Children’s Hospital. Aglai Kyriakou confirms the increase in cases, “and even cases requiring hospitalization.” There are five beds in the children’s psychiatric hospital. “Before the pandemic, it happened that one bed was left empty, and now we are in a hurry to add a sixth.” The Agia Sophia Children’s Clinic, which has been operating for the past 2.5 years and deals with eating disorders in children from infancy to 16 years old, is designed to treat three to four new cases every week. Infants and young children often experience feeding difficulties. “We observe children under 5 years old who show a peculiar attitude to food,” – explains “K” child psychiatrist Maria Belivanaki., “others stick to milk and don’t want to eat, others aged 2 and over can’t chew or eat ground food, many kids under 7 eat very specific foods and refuse to try new flavors.” Families come to the polyclinic either on their own or with a referral from a pediatrician when he discovers that the child is underweight. “Sometimes, these dysfunctions can be linked to developmental problems such as autism.” However, in most cases, these early eating disorders are the result of problems in the emotional connection between food, mostly the mother, and the infant or toddler. “Perhaps the mother has depression or anxiety, sometimes there could be a traumatic event in the family, the loss of a loved one.” A child’s reaction to get the mother’s interest is to show difficulty sleeping or eating, as especially before the age of 2 they have no other way to communicate.

Ms. Irini Haralambidou has recently identified a different category of patients. “These are younger students who refuse to eat and drink, but are aware that they are thin, in contrast to the “classic” cases when they feel overweight, while they are underweight.” Mrs Sharalambidu describes in “K”. Soon she and her colleagues were called to treat a patient who was only in the second grade and had to be hospitalized. “Age is getting ‘younger’,” he emphasizes, “this is open to many interpretations – one is that parents are more aware and reach out to us earlier, the other is that children have contact with social media from a very early age.” age. age and, accordingly, with applicable standards of beauty, and at the same time they have at their disposal a lot of information about calories and how to measure them.

perfectionism

According to child psychiatrists at two children’s hospitals, most of the patients are still teenagers and have traits in common with marked perfectionism. “The GPA of my patients is 19 years and above,” Ms. Charalambidou says pointedly, “they want to keep everything under control, even their hunger, this is what brings them satisfaction.” However, early intervention and simultaneous psychotherapy of the child and parents pays off, as the problem often “indicates” the presence of dysfunctions within the family. “It’s important to support mothers so they can be better mothers,” says Ms Belivanaki. “We are also called upon to listen to the needs of adolescents, to promote their growth and to quietly accompany them in this process.” As he usually says, “usually our patients are children who did not care for their parents, did well and did not antagonize them; but we need teenagers who say no because it’s great.”

Numbers

50% the overall incidence of dietary abnormalities shows an increase after the pandemic.

3-4 The Agia Sophia Children’s Hospital Outpatient Clinic is designed to treat new cases every week.

25% an increase in the number of adolescent patients reported in 80 US hospitals in 2021;