·  Emotional disturbances can vary from like stated previously OCD to anxiety.  Emotional disturbances can be defined and described as having an irrational fear of something. Emotional disturbances intensities vary and hinder people’s daily life, placing certain things on hold. People whom have emotional disturbances can have varying symptoms from hyperactivity, to misconduct and aggression. Eating disorders is one of the many disorders under the umbrella term emotional disturbance. Eating disorders can be defined as extreme cases of eating either to much, or not all in times of stress, fear, and depression (Behavior Disorders: Definitions, Characteristics & Related Information, 2018).

 

Binge eating is defined as consuming large amounts food, with a feel of loss of control. People who binge eat, eat out of depression and despite feeling full. Binge eaters eat just to eat.

 

Bulimia nervosa can be defined as eating excessive amounts of food, then obsessing over how to eliminate it out of the pursuit of loosing weight.  Bulimic individuals use laxatives, enemas, and self-induced regurgitation to do so (Buser,2012)

 

Purge eating is defined as reoccurring purging, via regurgitation or laxative of food to maintain a certain body weight or image. Unlike bulimia people who purge, purge their food anytime, there is no eating a lot then purging they are constantly releasing food to maintain an image (Morin, 2017).

If you are a physical fitness educator also known as the PE teacher you may see symptoms such as obsessing over working out longer and harder, taking supplements and or diet medication to maintain an image, or attitude changes regarding self-image.

Cafeteria workers may notice student’s either putting a lot of food on his or her plate or in cases if the student is a binge eater or in cases of anorexia not eat or have one item on his or her plate.

Some symptoms can not easily be seen. Counselors can observe students’ behaviors such as an obsession with weight loss and self-image as a symptom too. 

Studies have shown that preventive programs constructed by counselors which are interactive and involve the students are more effective at getting the message of eating disorders across versus the traditional educational format (Buser, 2012).

Educators can instill preventive programs and design a protocol for educators if they have a student who displays symptoms of eating disorders. Counselors can invite medical professionals and psychologist to come speak to the students on the subject matter. Guidance counselors and educators can also make sure to instill that sports and extracurricular activities are nondiscriminatory, meaning all shapes sizes and races be involved in activities. (Neda, n.d.)

-          Research states that psychotherapy coupled with counseling and nutritional needs being met are the best forms of treatment in terms of treating students or people with eating disorders (Behavior Disorders: Definitions, Characteristics & Related Information, 2018).

-   School counselors need to know many students believe this is normal for them. If a counselor feels the need to address a student’s eating disorder, via the student individually or give a lesson to the whole student body to address the issue one must do so. Studies show that school guidance counselor intervention is more effective then students having to tell a doctor.

-    Educators are more likely to see a symptom before a doctor would, because educators see children daily, where it be lunch, the hallways, or in a classroom.

-    Symptoms like big changes in weight loss, and fluctuating can be a tall tale symptom. Children skipping lunch and not eating.

-    School counselors are out there among the student body and via communication and observation, one can tell the beliefs and the current trends that are going on regarding weight and eating behaviors. In society teens try to live up to standards they see on television and in magazines, body image is a major concern for many teens. With early intervention teens can benefit from the treatment and communication. Guidance counselors instill  Trust for the student body and students should feel as if they can come to the counselor in times of need.

American School Counselor Association (2004). ASCA

National Standards for Students. Retrived June, from http://static.pdesas.org/content/documents/asca_national_standards_for_students.pdf.

Buser, J. K. (2012). The School Counselor’s Role in Addressing Eating Disorder Symptomatology Among Adolescents. American Counseling Association, (97), 1-18. Retrieved June, from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/the-school-counselor-s-role-in-addressing-eating-disorder.pdf?sfvrsn=f1ab2b7e_12.

Behavior Disorders: Definitions, Characteristics & Related Information. (2018). Retrieved June, 2018, from http://www.ccbd.net/about/ebddefintion.

Morin, A. (2017, August 22). What Does Purging Really Mean? Retrieved June, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/purging-defined-2609539

Neda. (n.d.). Educator toolkit. NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association), 1-44. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/sites/default/files/Toolkits/EducatorToolkit.pdf.