A teenager sits alone in her room, phone in hand. She stares at the various links in the search results: “Why don’t I lose weight if I don’t eat?”
Over 30 million people If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening health problems.
“Eating disorders can cause chaotic and catastrophic things to a person’s physical body, mental and emotional abilities,” said Dr. Mike Guyton, general practitioner for Prisma Young Adult Medicine.
A mother soon learned about her own daughter’s struggle with an eating disorder after discovering the search history on her phone.
“I randomly check my phone. One night I picked up her phone to check it and saw a search engine in her Safari browser that said, ‘Why am I not losing weight if I don’t eat?'” the mother said.
This sparked a discussion in many other families in the United States. Three percent of American teenagers suffer from an eating disorder. If left untreated, these disorders can lead to further health risks and can even be fatal.
“When I discovered this search, I started putting the pieces of the puzzle together,” the mother said. “She was having headaches because she wasn’t eating. She wasn’t being honest with me about when she was eating and when she wasn’t.”
Her daughter’s health deteriorated due to Restrictive anorexia nervosaso drastic that she had to be hospitalized until her vital signs were stable and she gained a few pounds. Her daughter then began treatment with Dr. Guyton via telemedicine. His team included a primary care physician, a nutritionist, a behavioral health expert and a peer mentor.
“We had an appointment with everyone every week,” said the mother. “Everyone was important in their own way.”
After a telemedicine treatment consisting of a diet plan, therapy and health monitoring, the young girl overcame her eating disorder.
“She was able to find her strength again,” Dr. Guyton said. “And I would say my patients who struggle with eating disorders are probably the bravest and strongest people I know. This child has been able to draw strength from that and recover. And she has recovered even though she can’t come to my office in person, which is thanks to the telemedicine we were able to provide her.”
If you or a loved one needs help, please contact Prisma Health – Young Adult Medicine at 864-522-4888
