# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About the Author

About the Author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Bob Cunningham, EdM serves as executive director of learning development at Understood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently. Bob Cunningham, EdM serves as executive director of learning development at Understood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lo sentimos, la página que usted busca no se ha podido encontrar. Puede intentar su búsqueda de nuevo o visitar la lista de temas populares.

Children who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are plagued with unwanted thoughts, images or impulses that are difficult to suppress, causing them great stress and worry. These are called obsessions. To alleviate the anxiety caused by their obsessive thoughts, they perform repetitive, ritualized actions called compulsions. A child with OCD might need to line things up, touch things in a certain order when leaving the room or wash his hands repeatedly.

Obsessions Common in Kids With OCD

Contamination: Kids with this obsession are sometimes called "germaphobes." In schools, this plays out with kids worrying about other kids sneezing and coughing, touching things that might be dirty or getting sick in many different ways. This is the most common obsession seen in children.

Magical thinking: This is a kind of superstition, like "step on a crack, break your mother's back," taken to extremes. For example, kids might worry that their thoughts can cause someone to get hurt, or get sick. A child might think, "Unless my things are lined up in a certain way, mom will get in a car accident."

Catastrophizing: Some kids easily jump to the conclusion that something terrible has happened. For example, if her parents are five minutes late picking her up, a girl who is catastrophizing might tell herself that they've decided to abandon her.

Scrupulosity: This is when kids have obsessive worries about offending God or being blasphemous in some way.

What ifs: Kids may be plagued by a lot of different kinds of thoughts about bad things they could do. "What if I hurt someone? What if I stab someone? What if I kill someone?"

The "just right feeling": When OCD first develops, from about 6 to 9 years of age, kids may not know why they are doing something, but just that they need to do it until they get what we call the "just right feeling." So: "I'll line these things up until it just kind of feels right, and then I'll stop." And then over time - in the 9- to 12-year-old range - it evolves into magical thinking and becomes more superstitious in nature.

Behaviors You Might See in Students With OCD

Frequent requests to go to the bathroom: This could be to wash hands, if someone near the child was coughing or sneezing, or if she touched something that she perceives as contaminated. She could be washing items-pens, pencils, backpacks, books. It could also be an excuse to get out the classroom and just be away from everyone, and have some respite.

Constant reassurance-seeking: This takes the form of repetitive questions. "Are you sure that's the answer? Could you tell me again? Did you hear what I said?" Checking doors, windows, lockers, desks. Over and over and over again.

Getting stuck on tasks: Sometimes kids with OCD will need to finish something to completion, or understand it to completion, before they're able to move on. So if a child is working out what he did wrong on a math test, and the teacher says, "Now let's open the textbook and start a new chapter," he's not going to be able to shift gears.

Retracing: If a child leaves the classroom and worries that she left a pencil behind, she'll go back into the classroom and go to her desk and check. If she had a bad thought as she went through the doorway, she might have to "fix it" by going back through the doorway again saying a good word. If she had a bad thought when she went down a flight of stairs on the way to class, she might need to go back up that same stairway at the end of the period, even if it means being late to her next class.

Obsessive erasing: A child could be erasing a lot because the letters have to look perfect. Or he could have used a word that disturbs him. For example, if he has a fear of vomiting and he's written the word vomit, he might not be able to stand seeing that word, so he erases it. Kids start having erasers worn down to the metal. Teachers start to see holes in the paper. Words will be drawn over on the back of the page. A lot of different areas of writing become problematic.

Behaviors Often Confused With Another Disorder

Some behaviors associated with OCD are easy to confuse with ADHD, learning problems or being oppositional.

Distraction: If a child is busy thinking that if she doesn't turn the pen cap and count to four the right way then her mom is going to get sick, she's not going to be paying attention in class. And if her teacher calls on her to answer a question, her distraction might look like ADHD, but it isn't.

Slowness on exams, papers and tasks: Sometimes when kids take a long time, they're struggling with the perfectionism of needing to do things the right way. This could look like learning problems, or inattention, but it isn't.

Avoidance: Teachers might see a child who doesn't want to sit on the floor, or pick things up that touched the floor, or get his hands dirty in art class. He may avoid a lot of playground activities - kids with germ fears will view the playground the way some adults view the subway: it's gross. Why touch anything there?

Tapping and touching symmetrically: If a child sits down at her desk and she accidentally kicks the chair of the kid next to her with her right foot, she's going to have to then kick it with her left foot. That might look like somebody who's being oppositional, or somebody who's got too much energy, but actually it's OCD.

Complaints of anxiety and fatigue: There's one interesting theory that kids with OCD are smarter than other kids. And if you consider how much thinking they're doing, they're really using their brain more frequently than a lot of other kids are. But when that's coupled with a lot of anxiety, you can have a lot of fatigue. So it's common for kids with OCD to want to come home and take a nap after school.

How to Help Students With OCD

For children struggling with OCD, functioning in school can be complicated and very difficult. Here are some things you can do to help them, and the class as a whole, focus on learning:

Seating arrangement: If the school has noisy hallways, you might not want to have a child with OCD sit by the door. You might have her sit in the front, where she's less able to hear the noise and can stay more focused on her work. On the other hand, a child who has very observable symptoms, and doesn't want other kids to see her fidgeting with her hands, rocking or getting up a lot, might be better off closer to the door, toward the back of the room.

Extended time for tests and papers: If writing is a problem for a child who needs to find the perfect way to say something, he's going to need more time to finish those essay questions or papers.

Laptops for writing: If writing and rewriting/erasing is really problematic for a child, consider letting her use a laptop for taking notes, and having all assignments be typed instead of handwritten.

Private testing rooms: Research is quite clear that kids with OCD do better, are less overwhelmed and are more in control of their thoughts and their reactions if they're in a quiet place away from the other kids.

Skip reading out loud: Kids who feel they need to read perfectly may have to go back and reread sentences or whole paragraphs over and over to make sure they've got them right. So reading becomes a very laborious task, and reading in front of the class can become a nightmare. So if we know doing this is a problem for children, we can spare them.

Books on tape: If kids get so hung up reading that it takes forever, listening to the books can be a solution.

Break homework into chunks: If looking at a whole page of math makes kids feel overwhelmed and anxious - think of the potential for mistakes! - the problems can be broken up over four pages. It helps kids stay focused on doing the problems instead of worrying.

How to Minimize Behavioral Problems

Plan an escape route: Try working out a communication system so that if the student feels symptoms coming on, she can signal to you and leave the classroom, or go to a protected place in the classroom, without interrupting the class. It can prevent an embarrassing and disruptive blowup of symptoms in the classroom, and the other kids picking on or bullying her about it.

Be aware of triggering events: It's very important for teachers to know what kind of things might trigger the symptoms. Fatigue is a huge piece of OCD, and it can be exacerbated by medication. So it's important to know that if a child is drowsy in class, and maybe he's putting his head down, it's not because he's being oppositional or disrespectful, but because he's overwhelmed with fatigue.

Advance notice: Irritability and frustration are two of the longer-lasting things that kids with OCD are feeling on a daily basis. Changes in schedule can be very disruptive for a child with OCD, so it can be helpful for teachers to give advance notice of things. Kids who know what to expect are less likely to be thrown by the change.

Children with OCD are often teased and bullied because of their symptoms. Kids feel very uncomfortable about their rituals, knowing that they're being watched. It can be helpful to educate the whole class about what's going on, especially if a child is going to be in the same school for a number of years, and it can inspire a surprising amount of support from other children.

Peer understanding program: A peer understanding program includes a presentation in the classroom that explains (with the child participating) what OCD is. The child might say, "Listen, I have OCD. It's an anxiety disorder. It makes me think that my hands are dirty and I have to wash my hands a lot, so if you see me getting up and going to the sink to wash my hands, that's why." Psychologists can role-play with the teacher and child ahead of time, to anticipate questions his classmates might ask, and how to answer them.

A buddy system: A buddy is like a peer coach who sits next to the child and prompts him to keep up with note taking and staying on task. It can be great for the buddy, to foster a sense of confidence and pride and to be able to help someone in need, and great for fostering friendship.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lo sentimos, la página que usted busca no se ha podido encontrar. Puede intentar su búsqueda de nuevo o visitar la lista de temas populares. Children who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are plagued with unwanted thoughts, images or impulses that are difficult to suppress, causing them great stress and worry.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Skip to content

NAMI Social Media

Follow NAMI on social media! Get the latest updates and information and become part of the online NAMI community.

Important Mental Health Issues

Advocacy makes a difference in the lives of people with mental health conditions and their loved ones.

Together for Mental Health

NAMI is here to help. With your support, we can continue fighting for higher-quality, culturally competent care for people living with mental health conditions.

Help In The Fight

From Next Door To Across The Nation

Find Support

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services and treatment options that may help.

Get Involved

Get involved and make a difference in the lives of Americans living with mental health conditions.

Advocate for Change

Policy change is one major way we can make a difference in the lives of people living with mental health conditions and their families. Limits the...

Helping Those In Need

NAMI started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 and has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 49 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

gathered around a kitchen table

NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates across the country

NAMI HelpLine transitions to

NAMI HelpLine is available M-F 10 am - 10 pm, ET. Connect by phone 800-950-6264 or text "Helpline" to 62640, or chat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Thank you for visiting the Texas Mental Health and Substance Use web page. The Department of State Health Services maintains this web page, but the 84th Legislature made structural changes to the Health and Human Services system including transferring some DSHS functions to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

As of September 2016, all Mental Health and Substance Use programs transferred to HHSC from DSHS.

More information about HHS Transformation

Other transitioning programs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Texas Department of State Health Services

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thank you for visiting the Texas Mental Health and Substance Use web page. The Department of State Health Services maintains this web page, but the 84th Legislature made structural changes to the Health and Human Services system including transferring some DSHS functions to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction.

The helpline is for parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, community members, or mental health professionals. Anybody can call to say, "Here's what's going on, what do I do?"

Are you looking for a therapist? A treatment center? Somewhere that is in-network with your insurance? Someone that does sliding scale?

Callers will be connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller's needs.

If you're seeking resources for yourself or for someone else, call our free helpline at 972.525.8181 Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our mental health navigators can help.
This is not a crisis line. GET HELP NOW if you or someone you know is in crisis.
Interested in volunteering for the Navigation Line? Click here to learn more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Selecting a mental health professional is an important decision. The right match can make all the difference in the success of treatment. Consider both the practical aspects of obtaining care, as well as how you feel when you interact with the person.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Joseph DeLeon

Joseph DeLeon, became president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth in January 2018. As president, DeLeon shares leadership responsibilities with Chief Medical Officer Michael Thornsberry, M.D., M.B.A., FACHE, FAAPL, and Chief Nursing Officer Elaine Nelson, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, CENP.

DeLeon returned to Texas Health Fort Worth after almost five years as president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth. He is a former captain of the United States Air Force Medical Services Corps and has served in health care management since 1991.

DeLeon first joined Texas Health in 2005 as vice president of professional services and business development at Texas Health Fort Worth, where he was responsible for all ancillary functions, strategic planning and business development activities for the hospital. In January 2013, DeLeon was named president of Texas Health Southwest. Under his leadership, Texas Health Southwest achieved the Truven 100 Top Hospital two years in a row and the Pinnacle of Excellence Award for Patient Experience from Press Ganey. The Texas Health Southwest leadership team also worked to bring Texas Health Clearfork online and become a joint replacement destination.

DeLeon is an active leader in the community, serving as chairman of the boards of Texas Rehabilitation Hospital and the Tarrant County March of Dimes, and on the boards of North Texas Community Foundation and the Healthy Tarrant County Collaboration. He previously served as president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. DeLeon has been recognized many times for his leadership of the hospital, including a 2017 Minorities in Business Award from the Fort Worth Business Press. The awards recognize Tarrant County's top minority leaders in business and the community. Honorees are chosen based on professional achievements, community contributions, philanthropy and other milestones.

A graduate of Leadership North Texas, Leadership Fort Worth and Leadership Bryan-College Station, DeLeon was previously named to the Fort Worth Business Press 40 under 40 and holds a Certificate of Leader Development from the U.S. Army War College Commandant's National Security Program. He is also an associate with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

DeLeon earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a minor in business management in 1991 and a master's in public administration in 1994 from Texas A&M University.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Texas Health Fort Worth | Hospital in Fort Worth, TX

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Texas Health Fort Worth hospital serves the communities of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. With advanced medical treatments and an experienced staff, Texas Health Fort Worth and physicians on the medical staff are committed to your well-being and the health of your family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Providing Opportunities for Growth in Body, Mind, and Spirit.

# data[].attributes.headline
Local Center for Behavioral Disfunction Support

# data[].attributes.subject
Local Center for Behavioral Disfunction Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Pecan Valley Centers provides a variety of behavioral healthcare service to persons with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disability, as well as alcohol and chemical dependency. Our service area includes residents in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, and Somervell Counties.

​

Our mission is to provide help and hope to all who strive to overcome challenges associated with mental illness, alcohol and chemical dependency, intellectual and developmental disabilities within our community.

Find us on Facebook!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pecan Valley Centers for Behavioral & Developmental Healthcare

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pecan Valley Centers provides a variety of behavioral healthcare service to persons with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disability, as well as alcohol and chemical dependency. Our service area includes residents in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, and Somervell Counties.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
.

Body Esteem; A Piece of Cake and Peace of Mind by Susan Walker M.S.,L.P.C. Purchase at www.bodyesteem.com

Our Texas based eating disorder treatment center has been in operation for 25 years. During this time, Walker Wellness has helped thousands of courageous adults, adolescents and children, successfully overcome the devastating effects of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder compulsive overeating and emotional distress. What sets us apart from other facilities is our unique ability to provide totally individualized treatment, specifically designed by our treatment team for each client. We believe there is no "typical" client, and that complex issues have unique solutions. Group based treatment programs are ineffective for long term eating disorder recovery because crucial issues are not adequately addressed. Thus, leaving the patient vulnerable for relapse (the highest risk four to nine months after treatment). Additional benefits of individualized treatment are flexible scheduling (so treatment doesn't interfere with busy lifestyles), and patient/parent collaboration. With our extensive variety clinical services, facilities at Cooper Aerobics Center and highly experienced clinicians, Walker Wellness provides superior care for those struggling with an eating disorder.
"The Walker Wellness Clinic has designed an amazing program. I will always be grateful for being challenged in a loving supportive environment. After a number of unsuccessful attempts, I honestly thought I would never overcome my eating disorder, but Walker gave my life back.
WHY WALKER WELLNESS? Do you or your loved ones want patient care that is private, confidential and clinically designed to meet your individual needs? ....More.

The Walker Wellness Clinic is an outpatient treatment facility ( optional board and lodging) based in Dallas at Cooper Aerobics Center, and Houston conveniently located in the Business district. Our headquarters in North Dallas is ideally situated on the world famous 30 acre preventive medicine campus with access to a 62 room Cooper Hotel for patients and families who wish to reside during treatment, and comprehensive medical services at Cooper Clinic. In addition, on-campus restaurants, catering services and a cookery compliment quality nutrition treatment for all patients. Furthermore, facilities such as a full service spa, fitness center, tennis courts and swimming pools are accessible for patients who are ready to transition to an active lifestyle, and for patients that are transitioning from or specialized Athlete Treatment Programs. The tranquil setting, extensive facilities, comprehensive programs & experienced clinicians create the ideal milieu for exceptional treatment.

Providing Effective Treatment for Eating Disorders for 20 years.

The Walker Wellness Clinic provides exceptional treatment for individuals struggling with a formal eating disorder.

We also provide treatment for comorbidity diagnosis such as depression, anxiety disorders or obsessive compulsive disorders. We provide a full range of treatment options from two hours per week standard outpatient to our comprehensive day program. We also provide treatment designed for weekends. Read More +

We recognize that individuals are unique so we place more emphasis on individual psychotherapy, nutrition therapy and physiological education along with group, family, and adjunct therapy. Our clinical services offered by our professional treatment team are compatible with the country's leading multidisciplinary treatment facilities. As a result, we offer one of the most comprehensive and clinical outpatient programs available.

Our treatment goal is to help the patient to become a rational, productive happyperson, to help her develop a high level of self-esteem and a harmonyof thinking and emotion. Our emphasis is not only on symptom removal, but onthe development of the psychological and practical tools necessary for successful living.

Cost Effective

We provide an inexpensive alternative to inpatient programs for patients who are medically stable without compromising clinical care. In addition, we offer aftercare programs for patients recently discharged from a hospital or a residential program.

Time Effective

Our philosophy is to provide an environment that allows patients to maintain their current lifestyle such as continuing their extracurricular, academic and/or occupational functioning. Therefore, we offer partial day, evening hours and a weekender program to accommodate a productive lifestyle. We encourage patients to participate in scheduling their own clinical program, and patients may choose from a menu of adjunct therapies such as art therapy, music therapy and cooking classes.

Clinically Effective

We objectively measure energy expenditure, nutritional intake, body composition, and resting metabolic rate to determine an accurate physiological status. Therefore, the patient's current physiological condition, nutrition requirements, and healthy weight range is established based a number of individualized assessments to avoid guess work, an excessive weight gain, and uncertainty. In addition, comprehensive psychological testing is used to identify the underlying causes of the eating disorder at the onset of treatment and throughout the course of treatment to objectively measure progress.

Comprehensive, Caring, and Compassionate

Unlike most treatment facilities we maintain your confidentiality. Walker Wellness Clinic does not release any personal information about your patient care without your consent (i.e., reasons for depression/anxiety/eating disorder as well as medical, personal, and family issues).

"I just wanted to thank you so much for this opportunity. I honestly never thought I'd be able to say that Walker Wellness has changed my life, but it has. I feel like an incredibly different person and forsomeone who has been emotionless for years with an eating disorder, I can actually cry thinking about how far I've come. When I talked with Philip on the phone before I came toWalker Wellness, I knew that I had found my match. Every other treatment center I called scared me and I could find a 100 reasons why I shouldn't go. Read More +

But your approach at Walker is so different and unique,and for once in my life of my eating disorder I saw hope and thepossibility for someone to work with me. I had always felt so different and like no one understood me or where I was coming from, so isolation was perfect, but you and your treatment team have proven me wrong and made me realize all the possibilities out there for me. So all in all,thank you with all my heart and I just wanted to let you know what a special gift you and the rest of The Walker Wellness team have and especially, how many lives you have impacted.".

Please call 1-877-899-7254 to speak to Philip or e-mail The Walker Wellness Clinic.

Flexible Treatment to accommodate busy lifestyles

Walker Wellness Clinic (Dallas Location) is open for treatment from 9:00AM - 8:00PM Monday to Friday, 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday and 12:00PM to 5:00PM on Sunday.
The "Weekender" is clinically and custom designed for patients who are unavailableto pursue treatment during the weekdays due to their schedule conflicts. Meals, accommodation and transportation is available for out-of-town patients. Blog Directory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Eating Disorder Treatment Clinic for Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Walker Wellness is an eating disorder treatment center. 20 yrs of personalized care for teens and adults, outpatient treatment at Cooper Aerobics Center, Dallas & Houston Texas. Specializing in anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, food addiction, disordered eating, and body image disorders.

# data[].attributes.body
Need help? Dallas Eating Disorder Solutions can offer a place of hope.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Personalized Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Dallas, TX

Eating disorders are extremely serious and complex psychological diseases. When left untreated, an eating disorder can cause social, emotional, and physical harm.

If you or a loved one have suffered from an eating disorder, there is hope for healing with the support and guidance from our eating disorder center. Eating Disorder Solutions offers personalized eating disorder treatments in Dallas, TX. We provide treatment with integrity, promoting holistic approaches that heal the mind, body, and soul. Our licensed eating disorder specialists are knowledgeable and experienced with helping individuals of all ages, genders, and stages of eating disorders. To help you achieve real, long-term recovery, we'll develop an individualized plan that addresses your needs with one of our four treatment programs.

Integrated Treatment

Our treatment programs address the underlying causes of eating disorders while also treating physical symptoms and nurturing a new, healthier relationship with food.

Comprehensive Nutritional Support

Our nutrition philosophy is that all foods are good foods in moderation. We believe in an individualized meal plan as each client is not the same.

Overcoming an eating disorder is a transformative journey that begins within.

Our eating disorder center in Dallas, TX is dedicated to helping people reclaim control over their lives through comprehensive behavioral healthcare and dietary support. Our mission is your recovery. Our extensive resources and partnerships mean we can help you find the right treatment option for your needs.

The Road to Recovery: An Individualized Approach

Why Choose Eating Disorder Solutions?

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, you don't have to battle it alone. At Eating Disorder Solutions, we'll arm you with the tools and power for long-term success.

Eating disorders are complex and each disorder and individual is different, which is why a customized approach is key. To suit your needs, we offer both residential and outpatient programs to help individuals reclaim control of their lives and future. Our caring and compassionate staff will address the client's individual needs, providing support and guidance through every step of the way.

Some of our services include:

Eating disorders cover a broad spectrum of mental and physical health conditions that are typically categorized as follows: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Many individuals struggling with an eating disorder often fluctuate between the different "categories." Therefore, Eating Disorder Solutions focuses on the individual, not his or her diagnosis, to better understand the underlying cause and best treatment approach for each client.

If you're asking yourself, "Do I have an eating disorder?" the specialists at Eating Disorder Solutions in Dallas, Texas, can provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Individuals that worry too much about their weight, the foods that they eat and the shapes of their bodies may result to unhealthy eating habits and can develop an eating disorder. After an evaluation with Eating Disorder Solutions, we can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan that is unique to you.

Get Help Now

Eating disorders are treatable. Call us now to begin your journey to a happier, healthier you!

Call Eating Disorder Solutions today!

ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION

Understanding Eating Disorders

CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS

Disordered eating may be a symptom of underlying mental health issues.

ENDING THE STIGMAS

Eating disorders affect people from all genders, ethnic backgrounds, and social statuses.

COMMMON FACTORS

Genetics, self-image, and environmental factors can influence the development of an eating disorder.

Get in Touch for Eating Disorder Treatment in Dallas, TX

Don't risk trying to manage an eating disorder on your own if you don't think that you're ready. Start your journey to healing through therapy and nutritional guidance in a safe and supportive community environment. Contact Eating Disorder Solutions today to enroll in our eating disorder treatment program in Dallas, Texas.

Request a Call

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dallas Eating Disorder Treatment Center | Eating Disorder Solutions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Eating disorders are extremely serious and complex psychological diseases. When left untreated, an eating disorder can cause social, emotional, and physical harm. If you or a loved one have suffered from an eating disorder, there is hope for healing with the support and guidance from our eating disorder center.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn how to help those you love with anxiety disorders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders

# data[].attributes.headline
Counselors Corner: Curriculum on Eating Disorders

# data[].attributes.subject
Counselors Corner: Curriculum on Eating Disorders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Bulimia Nervosa Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many curricula and lesson plan resources are available for teachers to use about healthy body image and eating disorders for each school age group. This list is not intended to be comprehensive but provides a broad sample of credible lesson plan resources for teachers.

BrainPop Educators is one of a group of educational websites providing resources (movies, quizzes, lesson plans) for educators grades K-12. BrainPop also provides resources to parents and students. Resources include several lesson plan ideas with materials on eating disorders.

Dying to Be Thin: PBS Video available from PBS. This includes a free video (first debuted on television on the NOVA program) that typically takes at least two class periods. PBS also provides a lesson plan Ideal Weight, Cultural Stereotypes, and Eating Disorders. Lessons are tied to National Science and Health Education standards.

Discovery Education website is part of the Discovery Channel and provides all kinds of curriculum, including some free lesson plans for grades 9-12 on eating disorders and healthy body image and nutrition. Other resources are also provided at a nominal cost. Lessons are tied to National Science and Health Education standards.

Eating Disorders Resource Catalogue lists current and classic books, and other resources on eating disorders is available from Gurze Books.

Entering Adulthood: Looking at Body Image and Eating Disorders curriculum for grades 9-12. Contemporary Health Series. 1991. Susan Giarratano. Available for free on the federal Institute of Education Sciences website.

KidsHealth in the Classroom by the Nemours Foundation offers a free teacher's guide on eating disorders grades 9 - 12 and grades 6 to 8 in its "Health Problems Series." The guides include standards, discussion questions, activities for students, reproducible materials, and links to other information resources.

Resources outside the U.S.
The Butterfly Foundation Education (Australia)
The Butterfly Foundation delivers a range of Positive Body Image workshops to schools and workplaces through its education program, including BodyThink, an Eating Disorder health promotion and prevention school-based workshop for children aged 11 to 14 years. It has a strong media presence to raise awareness of Butterfly's perspective in community debates about body image and eating disorders.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Free curricula for grades K-12 on eating disorders and health body image

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many curricula and lesson plan resources are available for teachers to use about healthy body image and eating disorders for each school age group. This list is not intended to be comprehensive but provides a broad sample of credible lesson plan resources for teachers.

# data[].attributes.body
Your role as a teacher could save lives!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Take it Seriously

Eating disorders are illnesses that have biological and psychological components. The symptoms can be life threatening. Every organ system of the body can be damaged, including: brain, heart, kidney, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, skin and bones.

Create a Safe Environment

Create an environment where students feel safe to discuss matters privately and confidentially. Remember the saying, "We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we talk." Listening without judgment helps students feel safe enough to tell you what they're thinking, feeling, and doing.

People with eating disorders are 18 times more likely to die early compared with people of similar age in the general population.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.

Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescents.

Prevention is the First Line of Defense

Coaches, teachers, and other school personnel are role models for young people. It's important to be a resource for them. The environment you create will help students and athletes form healthy attitudes about weight, body image, nutrition, strength and even success.

Focus on Healthy Habits Rather Than on Body Weight or Fat

The factors listed below can enhance performance by improving both physical and psychological health. Emphasizing healthy behaviors in this way does not put students at risk for eating disorders.

Nutrition and Exercise - Young people need information about healthy meal planning and regular exercise, especially if they're athletes. Educate your students by providing nutritional information through the school curriculum and as part of their athletic training. Having knowledge about healthy habits will help them avoid overeating or under-eating. Some examples are:

Eat Breakfast! Grandmother was right. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. People who eat breakfast, eat healthier the rest of the day, have more energy, and do better in school.

Meals and snacks should be nutritional and well balanced.

Plan for a regular mealtime schedule rather than eating on the run or skipping meals. Students with unusual or no meal schedule are at risk for eating disorders.

Sleep and Rest - Young adults and teens require between 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Many student-athletes sleep less than 6 hours a day. Encourage students to form regular sleep habits. The teen lifestyle of staying up late and getting up early is difficult to change but getting enough sleep is essential to health and wellbeing, which in turn helps to maximize both physical and mental performance. Lack of sleep can also lead to:

Body aches and pains

Irritability

Difficulty concentrating

Increased appetite

Decreased resilience and performance

Substance Use and Abuse - Provide your students with information about the consequences of drug and alcohol use, and teach them interpersonal and behavior skills. Include information about:

Alcohol and prescription or illegal drugs

Nicotine

Performance enhancing drinks or supplements

Dietary or "stacker" supplements

Peer pressure

Psychological Factors - Both thinking and emotional factors can affect performance. Educate young people to resist visual and social messages that imply they should achieve unrealistic body types such as extreme thinness. Mixed messages fill the media. Ultra-thin models happily eat fast food, while the nightly news reports an increasing number of Americans are obese. Replacing these messages with an emphasis on healthy eating habits can help the student make informed decisions and good choices for their own health and wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Can I Do - Educators & Coaches - Eating Disorder Program - Adolescent Medicine - Golisano Children's Hospital - University of Rochester Medical Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Eating disorders are illnesses that have biological and psychological components. The symptoms can be life threatening. Every organ system of the body can be damaged, including: brain, heart, kidney, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, skin and bones. Create an environment where students feel safe to discuss matters privately and confidentially.

# data[].attributes.headline
How Educators Can Help: Students with Eating Disorders

# data[].attributes.subject
How Educators Can Help: Students with Eating Disorders

# data[].attributes.body
file:///Users/jenna.vrla/Downloads/nichcy.org-Teaching_Students_with_Emotional_Disturbances_8_Tips_for_Teachers.pdf