Looking for those battling anorexia

rebecca_danell22

Ciao I want to apologize, because I know things haven't been easy for my Mom. (I can relate to your daughter). This is something your daughter will or won't work out herself. There is not anything anyone can do that will change her perception of herself. That isn't to say to insult her or call her "skinny" nor to not support or encourage her that she is strong and beautiful. What I am saying is she will have to overcome this on her own. It's the sad truth. All you can do is be there for her.

Milotic2015

I battled with aneroxia when i was a kid and my mom is now going threw the battle. If your daughter won't open up to the therapist, (and i don't blame her that she didn't) Maybe since your her mother she will open up to you and tell you why she took that path. As far as getting her to eat again, Start out small with her, Like you would have when she was just learning to eat solids when she was a baby. My mom had to sttart out small on eating again and what she started with was Yogurt and applesauce. Don't force her to eat, or she will stop eating completely again ( given if she is eating anything atm). If she starts eating like she did before all this happened she will get upset stomach and nausea. If she has a favorite between Applesauce or yogurt then let her choose which one and make sure that only she eats what she picks out and not everyone else eats her Jar of applesauce or container of Yogurt. That way she feels like she has the choice and she knows it's her own.
If you need to talk feel free to add me or Message me.

hyIianprincess

As someone who has suffered from an eating disorder for years and is currently in recovery, I'm so happy to hear you're taking this seriously. You seem like a great mother. Support from family and friends as well as therapy has been so vital in my recovery.

Therapy has helped me out tremendously. I go once a week. It can be a slow process though, so keep that in mind. You have your good days and bad days. And most importantly, please don't blame yourself! I'm glad so hear she's doing better. I wish you two the best of luck

TessaDear

Hello. I've been through what your daughter has gone through, it's really tough but in my case, the best help I got was in the form of support. It's all a mental thing really. I got therapy, talked to people, opened up, and had to be reassured about myself often. I also had some assistance from a dietitian and my doctor to help me gain weight and to monitor me but my support system is definitely what I owe my success in recovery to. Best of luck to you both x

hgycta

Wow, everyone's comments on here are wonderful - listen to these people!
I've struggled with eating disorders since I was ten, and now I'm nineteen and still struggling, but improving. It's hard, but the fact that you are both aware of this problem and ready to find a solution is a huge milestone towards recovery! The earlier you catch it, the better. Unfortunately mine was more than body image issues alone, my OCD made calorie counting just about impossible to quit (still working on it). I received therapy, but it wasn't enough (though it can be for some people). Everyone experiences this dreaded illness differently, so just encourage her to remain open no matter how tough it gets, show your support, and do whatever it takes to get her what she needs. Outpatient may be expensive depending on insurance coverage, but if it means she can get her life back I'd recommend it. I'll pray for you guys, I wish you all the best!

cosmiqrecovery

As someone who struggled with eating disorders since their preteens, I'm really glad she seems to be opening up about her problems to you and I'm glad you're trying your best to get her the help she deserves. That said, this is still a mental illness and one of the most insidious ones at that. It's entirely up to her whether or not she gets better. I've been put through inpatient programs, outpatient programs, group therapy, Eating Disorders Anonymous, a multitude of therapists, intensive programs with dietitians, even majored in nutrition when I started college just to figure out what the hell I could do to stop this, and it's still right here, whispering in my ear every day. If I had received help earlier, maybe it wouldn't be like this.

I'm in a place right now where I can't afford to be treated, but free and online resources are huge. NEDA has a treatment locator on their sight, and if money is an issue there are several scholarships available for people with eating disorders (these can be a bit triggering to the sufferer if they aren't chosen in my experience, but it's worth a shot). There's EDA as I mentioned, which has group chat meetings online that can be helpful. There's also 7 Cups of Tea that has self-help resources as well as 24 hour support chat from people who actually have been through the same struggles. Could be some decent temporary places of support until she gets into a solid program.

Like I said though, this is entirely up to her. As much love and support as I'm sure you have to offer, she's the only one with the power to get off this path. Be prepared to potentially be dealing with this and things like it for the rest of her life. I really hope not though. I wish you and your daughter the best, it breaks my heart every time I see people so young suffering.

linanneasley

hgycta wrote: »

Wow, everyone's comments on here are wonderful - listen to these people!
I've struggled with eating disorders since I was ten, and now I'm nineteen and still struggling, but improving. It's hard, but the fact that you are both aware of this problem and ready to find a solution is a huge milestone towards recovery! The earlier you catch it, the better. Unfortunately mine was more than body image issues alone, my OCD made calorie counting just about impossible to quit (still working on it). I received therapy, but it wasn't enough (though it can be for some people). Everyone experiences this dreaded illness differently, so just encourage her to remain open no matter how tough it gets, show your support, and do whatever it takes to get her what she needs. Outpatient may be expensive depending on insurance coverage, but if it means she can get her life back I'd recommend it. I'll pray for you guys, I wish you all the best!

Thats a great insight. I'm learning hers is tied to OCD as well. She is wicked smart and she knows what each bite counts out. She is getting better and is now open to a 1800-2000 calorie diet. At that range I'm able to fudge a few more calories in to her daily intake.

linanneasley

UPDATE: I can not begin to thank everyone enough for the thoughts support and encouragement. We had our 1st follow up appt since her original diagnosis. She started out at 81lbs which is lower that I thought she was to begin with. She currently weighs 95.7lbs. Thats a huge victory. And best of all she didn't freak out about it. We did decide to go on a supper small dose of meds to help combat the OCD component of the illness. So please if you have issues with meds, just keep it to yourself, we all heal in different ways. Her CT has been super and really managed to get her to talk about some tough issues, which she hasn't shared with me yet, but I know she will when she's ready.
Again, you all have been such a blessing with resources and support, I can not begin to that you enough.

letsgain01

linanneasley wrote: »

UPDATE: I can not begin to thank everyone enough for the thoughts support and encouragement. We had our 1st follow up appt since her original diagnosis. She started out at 81lbs which is lower that I thought she was to begin with. She currently weighs 95.7lbs. Thats a huge victory. And best of all she didn't freak out about it. We did decide to go on a supper small dose of meds to help combat the OCD component of the illness. So please if you have issues with meds, just keep it to yourself, we all heal in different ways. Her CT has been super and really managed to get her to talk about some tough issues, which she hasn't shared with me yet, but I know she will when she's ready.
Again, you all have been such a blessing with resources and support, I can not begin to that you enough.

Awesome! I'm so happy she's getting better!

BicepsAndBows

Get her help, now. The sooner the better. Look for specialists (physician, dietician, and therapist) with in depth training in eating disorders. I fought a 7 year battle with sever anorexia that almost took my life. If my family wouldn't have intervened , I would not be here today. She might kick and scream and fight you, but deep down she needs the help and is most likely scared.