When You Are Worried Your Teen May Have an Eating Disorder

By: Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C, Therapist & Founder of The Eating Disorder Center

As a parent, noticing changes in your teenager’s relationship with food or their body can be deeply unsettling. You may feel a constant knot in your stomach, unsure of whether to bring up your concerns or how to do so without pushing them away. Many parents tell us they worry about saying the wrong thing or making the problem worse.

If you are concerned your teen may be struggling with an eating disorder, your instincts are worth listening to. Eating disorders often develop quietly, and early conversations can make a meaningful difference in how supported your child feels.


Starting the Conversation With Your Teen

One of the hardest parts for parents is figuring out how to talk to their teen about eating concerns without escalating conflict. There is no perfect script, but there are ways to approach the conversation that are more likely to feel supportive.

Choose a calm, private moment when neither of you is rushed or already upset. Avoid bringing this up during a meal or right after an argument. You might start with observations rather than accusations. For example, you could say that you have noticed they seem more anxious around food lately or that they have been avoiding certain foods. Framing your concern around what you see, rather than what you fear, can help lower defensiveness.

It is also important to focus on your concerns over their behavior rather than weight or appearance. Even well intentioned comments about body changes can feel shaming to a teen who is already struggling. Let them know that your concern comes from a place of care and love.


What to Say and What to Avoid

Many teens with eating disorders fear being judged, misunderstood, or forced into change before they are ready. Try to lead with curiosity. Asking open ended questions such as how food has been feeling for them lately or whether anything has been especially stressful can invite conversation without pressure.

If your teen minimizes or denies a problem, that does not mean they are not struggling. Eating disorders often thrive on secrecy. Staying calm and consistent is more helpful than trying to convince them in one conversation. You can acknowledge their feelings while still holding your concern. For example, you might say that you hear them saying they are fine and that you are still worried because you care about them.

While it is natural to be scared, leading with panic can shut down communication. Your goal is to open the door to ongoing dialogue.

I generally recommend that parents tell their teen that they are worried about them and that they would like for them to see an eating disorder specialist for an evaluation-and if the specialist says it isn’t a problem, then you will let it go. 


Why Professional Support Can Help These Conversations

Parents are often relieved to learn that they do not have to navigate these discussions alone. Working with an eating disorder specialist can help take some of the emotional weight off of you and your teen. A therapist experienced in adolescent eating disorders understands how ambivalence and fear show up and can help guide the process in a way that preserves trust.

At The Eating Disorder Center, we support parents in learning how to talk with their teens about food, body image, and mental health in a way that is firm, compassionate, and developmentally appropriate. We help families move toward collaboration and understanding.


Specialized Care for Teens and Families

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions, not phases or choices. They can coexist with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or trauma. Treating them effectively requires specialized, evidence based care.

Our team at The Eating Disorder Center works with adolescents and their families to address both the eating disorder behaviors and the underlying emotional factors driving them. 

We provide eating disorder therapy for teens and families in Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, and surrounding areas in Maryland, as well as Arlington, McLean, Alexandria, and other communities in Virginia. We also offer teen eating disorder therapy in D.C., Pennsylvania, Florida, and California. 


You Don’t Have To Go Through This Alone

Some parents worry that reaching out for help means they have failed or waited too long. In reality, noticing a problem and seeking support is one of the most protective steps you can take.

Full recovery is possible. With the right support, teens can develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies, and families can learn how to communicate without constant tension or fear.

If you are worried about your teen and want guidance on next steps, The Eating Disorder Center is here to help. You can learn more about our adolescent eating disorder services or schedule a consultation by emailing [email protected], calling 301-246-6856 or filling out our website contact form. Starting the conversation, even imperfectly, can be the first step toward meaningful change.

Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom.

🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy
🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide

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Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C (she/her), is an award-winning eating disorder therapist and the founder of The Eating Disorder Center, a specialized therapy practice for eating disorders and body image concerns. Jennifer uses ACT, CBT, and DBT to help clients find freedom from eating disorders and body image struggles.  Jennifer is recognized as a leading eating disorder expert and was named one of the top professionals in the field by a premier treatment center. She is the recipient of the Best of Bethesda Award for Best Individual Therapist (2025) and the Best of Rockville Award (2020–2024). She helps clients to live full, meaningful lives, beyond food and body image concerns.

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The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com