Referrals for eating disorder treatment for teens tripled during the pandemic

Social isolation and a loss of structure during the pandemic has left adolescentsmore vulnerable to developing eating disorders and exacerbatedalready existing ones, a Winnipeg psychiatrist says.

Dr. Jonathan Boman, a psychiatrist and staff chief atthe child and adolescent eating disorders service at the Health Sciences Centre, said he has seen referral rates for teens seeking treatmenttriple in the last year and a half.

"I think it's been a surprise, not just in Winnipeg, but nationwide in Canada, that for some reason this has been a population of youth who have been particularly vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic," said Boman.

Since restrictions beganover a year and a half ago, "services across the country saw an explosion of referrals," he said.

• Eating disorders among teens and adults surge during pandemic

Jessica Cuddy, now a recovered adult,empathizes withteensstruggling with eating disorders and body image after her own10-year battle.

Isolationwas part of what enabled her bingingandpurging behaviour for both anorexia and bulimia, she said.

"Tohear of that kind of increase is shocking, but we can say it is a collective traumaand there has been a lot of instability, uncertainty and isolation. An increase in those factors, I think for sure, would contribute to a rise in eating disorders," said Cuddy.

There is a secretive nature to the behaviours associated witheating disorders, which she always practisedin private, she said.

Imposed isolation during the pandemic makes iteasier to hide, she said.

"So if you are more isolated, that isgoing to fuel those behaviours, especiallyif is something you are already struggling with," said Cuddy.

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Loss of structure during the pandemic also had a part to play in escalating numbers, Boman said.

"I suspectmany of the youth that we're seeing were probably kind of protected by the structures that were built into their lives around, you know, daily routines, routines of mealtimes, snacktimes, and I think healthy activities that were probably buffering for them," said Boman.

With months of lockdowns and imposed isolation, some of those routines werelost with studentsremote learning, parents working from home, family stress and uncertainty over how long the pandemic would last.

While he doesn't have any specific data, Boman has noticed some changes in his own work, including seeingyounger teens relativeto pre-pandemic rates.

"And I think, somewhat surprisingly, we're seeing people at increased severity of presentation," he said.

• COVID-19 creates 'perfect storm' for people with eating disorders

Cuddysuspects there is another culprit fuelling the increase: social media.

"It was certainly part of my eating disorder. In recovery circles, they talk about compare and despair. Being stuck at home, social media is the perfect environment to be presented with a lot of opportunities to compare yourself to other people's bodies. That can be definitely be a factor as well. It was for me for sure," she said.

Cuddy credits WestwindCounselling and Eating Disorder Centre in Brandon, a privately run facility with structure and routine, for creating a safe environment for therapy and group supportfor her recovery.

"Seeking treatment and talking about it can be really scary, but it is so important. There is no shame. Let the shame go. This is something so many peopledeal with. Find some support.Reach out for help," she said.

Boman said while the waiting list for help has jumped from three months to seven to nine, there is the possibility to fast-track based on severity of symptoms.

"You can get there, to that place of intuitiveeating and body acceptance. I still deal with those things, but I have been able to come to a place of trusting myself and learning to love myself," said Cuddy.