Tanorexia: What to Look For
Updated December 30, 2014.
Could your teen be tanorexic? There are a few things to look for:
Addictions of any kind are challenging to address. If you are concerned about your son or daughter's tanning behaviors, you'll need help in dealing with it. Discuss your concerns with your family provider. Ask for a referral to a counselor that specializes in addictions. There are many questions out there about tanorexia, but a professional who understands addiction can help.
Sources:
Kaur, M., MD, Liguori, A. PhD, Lang, W. PhD, Rapp, S.R. PhD, Fleischer Jr A.B., MD, and Feldman, S.R. MD, PhD. Induction of withdrawal-like symptoms in a small randomized, controlled trial of opioid blockade in frequent tanners. 54:709-11, 2006.
Poorsattar, S.P., BS, and Hornung, R.L.
MD, MPH. UV light abuse and high-risk tanning behavior among undergraduate college students. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 56:375-9, 2007.
Warthan, M.M., MD, Uchida, T., MS, Wagner, R.F. Jr, MD. UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder. Archives of Dermatology, 141:963-966, 2005.
What to Look For
Could your teen be tanorexic? There are a few things to look for:
- Tanning more than necessary to maintain a tan. Tanning eight to 15 or more times a month can signal a problem.
- Annoyance when asked about the behavior. If you ask about it, and your teen is particularly irritable or defensive, it might point to an addiction.
- Becoming obsessive about tanning. Does your teen frequently talk about tanning? Does she get annoyed or angry if she can't go? These could be signs of an addiction.
- Tanning even if there are serious consequences. Does someone in your family have skin cancer? Is your teen at high risk because of fair skin? Has your teen had a blistering sunburn – but went back for more sun time? If your teen is ignoring the obvious dangers of tanning, you might need to take a closer look at your teen's behavior.
Addictions of any kind are challenging to address. If you are concerned about your son or daughter's tanning behaviors, you'll need help in dealing with it. Discuss your concerns with your family provider. Ask for a referral to a counselor that specializes in addictions. There are many questions out there about tanorexia, but a professional who understands addiction can help.
Sources:
Kaur, M., MD, Liguori, A. PhD, Lang, W. PhD, Rapp, S.R. PhD, Fleischer Jr A.B., MD, and Feldman, S.R. MD, PhD. Induction of withdrawal-like symptoms in a small randomized, controlled trial of opioid blockade in frequent tanners. 54:709-11, 2006.
Poorsattar, S.P., BS, and Hornung, R.L.
MD, MPH. UV light abuse and high-risk tanning behavior among undergraduate college students. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 56:375-9, 2007.
Warthan, M.M., MD, Uchida, T., MS, Wagner, R.F. Jr, MD. UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder. Archives of Dermatology, 141:963-966, 2005.
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