A teenage girl sits alone in her room, phone in hand. She stares down at the different links in the search results: “Why am I not losing weight when I don’t eat?”
Over 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. Left untreated, it can result in life threatening health issues.
“Eating disorders can cause chaotic and catastrophic things to happen to someone’s physical bodies, mental capabilities, and emotional capabilities,” said Dr. Mike Guyton, Primary Care Physician for Prisma Young Adult Medicine.
One mother soon learned of her own daughter's struggle with an eating disorder after discovering her search history on her phone.
“I do phone checks randomly. I picked her phone up one night to do a phone check and I saw a search in her Safari that said, ‘why am I not losing weight when I don’t eat,’” said the mother.
This sparked a conversation held by many other families in the United States. Three percent of American teens struggle with an eating disorder. Left untreated, these disorders can lead to other risk factors to health and can even be fatal.
“When I found that search then I started putting pieces together,” said the mother. “She was having headaches because she wasn’t eating. She hasn’t been honest with me about when she’s eating and not eating.”
Her daughter’s health had deteriorated due to Anorexia Nervosa Restrictive, so drastically that she had to be hospitalized until her vital signs became stable and she gained a few pounds. Next, her daughter began treatment with Dr. Guyton through telehealth. His team was a primary health physician, a dietitian, a behavioral health expert, and a peer mentor.
“Each week we had an appointment with each person,” the mother said. “Each person was important in their own way.”
After treatment through telehealth, consisting of a diet plan, therapy and health monitoring, the young girl overcame her eating disorder.
“She was able to find her strength,” said Dr. Guyton. “And I will say my patients that struggle with eating disorders are probably the bravest, strongest people I know. This kiddo has been able to tap into that and find her strength and recover. And, she has stayed recovered even though she can’t physically come to my office, which is the power of telemedicine that we’ve been able to provide for her.”
If you or a loved one are seeking help please reach out to Prisma Health - Young Adult Medicine at 864-522-4888