Watch the pattern, not the scale: food rules tightening, hiding meals, compulsory exercise, constant cold, thinning hair, periods stopping, and body talk that no longer matches reality.
NIMH classifies eating disorders as serious and potentially life-threatening, and teens are the highest-onset group - so act on the pattern early rather than waiting for certainty. The working approach: lead with specific observations and concern, not accusations or food policing, and involve the pediatrician fast - early treatment changes the outcome.
What to do
Common questions
What are the signs of anorexia in a teen?
Anorexia in a teenager rarely announces itself with weight - it announces with pattern change. The behavioral signs: food rules tightening and multiplying (cutting food groups, tiny portions, ritualized eating), hiding or skipping meals, sudden intense interest in cooking for others while eating little, and exercise that shifts from fun to compulsory. The physical signs: weight loss or failure to gain during growth, feeling cold constantly, thinning hair, dizziness, fatigue, and - a loud one - periods stopping or never starting. The psychological signs: distorted body talk (a visibly thin teen calling themselves fat), irritability and withdrawal, and panic around food-centered events. NIMH classifies eating disorders as serious and potentially life-threatening, and adolescents are the highest-onset group - which is why the guidance is to act on the pattern early rather than wait for certainty. The approach that works: lead with specific observations and concern, not accusations or food policing, and get the pediatrician involved fast - early treatment dramatically improves outcomes. In crisis: 988 in the US, or your local crisis line. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you plan the conversation.