Eating Disorders Specialist

What eating disorder services are available?

Dr. Castillo has experience in the most common eating disorders affecting kids today. She can diagnose and treat eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and others where children restrict food to lose weight.

The goals of treatment include identifying the root cause of the eating disorder and creating a custom plan to address:

• Better nutrition
• Improvement of overall health
• Increased body image confidence
• Prevention of long-term eating disorders

Dr. Castillo is passionate about guiding children through the many factors of an eating disorder to restore a high quality of life, as well as physical, mental, and emotional health.

What causes eating disorders in children?

There are many factors that can influence your child’s eating habits. Common triggers of eating disorders include:

• Low-self esteem
• Peer pressure
• Trauma or abuse
• Sports participation
• Unhealthy body image
• Problems at home or school

While eating disorders are often associated with teenagers, children as young as age 7 can develop unhealthy eating habits that result in a long-term struggle with weight control and nutrition.

What are the signs of an eating disorder?

Unexplained weight loss may be the first indication your child isn’t getting the proper nutrition they need to grow and develop properly. In anorexia, a condition where a child feels fat and fears gaining any amount of weight, you may notice symptoms like:

• Exercising frequently
• Complaints about feeling fat
• Routinely denying hunger
• Withdrawing from social activities

With bulimia, a condition where your child may eat excessively then throw up large amounts of food, you may notice frequent trips to the bathroom or a lack of weight gain despite consuming a lot of food. Some children may also use laxatives to help them go to the bathroom more often.

In most types of eating disorders, your child may appear frequently moody or distance themselves from their family, friends, and favorite activities. However, some children may hide these behaviors, giving a little clue that something is wrong.

How are eating disorders treated?

Every child is different, and Dr. Castillo evaluates your child’s specific needs to determine the best course of treatment. The goal is to prevent long-term damage to your child’s health caused by a lack of nutrition.

Dr. Castillo may recommend professional therapy, nutritional guidance, and routine health exams to manage your child’s issues. She can recommend inpatient care and works with other providers to ensure your child receives the highest-quality medical care possible.

If you have concerns your child has an eating disorder, call Dr. Castillo’s Bayside office today or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment and learn more.