TITLE

Eating disorders were already on the rise among teens

TikTok is ‘like a trap,’ health experts say.

DESCRIPTION

The Covid Pandemic has taken it’s toll on most people, and especially those already struggling with issues such as anxiety, OCD, depression, and as described in this article, eating disorders.  Stress and isolation act as triggers for other disorders, and what has been found due to social media, has exacerbated the problems.  This article exams the issue of eating disorders due to exposure to material on TikTok.  “If you’re a young girl comparing your body to someone in the media, like an actress or model, you might try to modify your body to meet that societal ideal,” said Alix Timko, a psychologist in the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who focuses on eating disorders. “Put in the context of the pandemic, teens are on social media more. … That means they’re potentially exposed to more content that could potentially trigger the development or maintenance of an eating disorder.”   Further, the article points out: “More adolescents and adults have been developing eating disorders for the first time during the pandemic, Timko said. Those who were already struggling with eating disorders are often struggling more — a survey published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that 62% of those with anorexia experienced more severe symptoms when the pandemic hit.”  

The article presents a few brief cases of young adult women who have experienced their eating disorders worsen through the pandemic and triggered by social media.  The article also suggests some solutions.   It is worth reading to understand the disorder and consequences of social media.

SOURCE

Philadelphia Inquirer, March 16, 2021, by Bethany Ao

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.inquirer.com/health/tiktok-eating-disorder-anorexia-bulimia-covid-20210316.html

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/bjymntc2

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is an eating disorder?  What are the different types?

•What is hypothesized regarding how social media can trigger and/or exacerbate eating disorders?  What, in particular, are the types of videos that are most consequential in this regard?

•According to the researcher/therapist, what cognitive distortions are in play when a views the videos?

•What are some of the offered “solutions” to deal with the issue?