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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teen son starving himself

32 replies

scribblescribble · 08/07/2015 16:46

Name changed and posting here for traffic. Apologies that it's not AIBU but would like some general advice and just some support please..

Ds is 16. Has not n restricting food for some months, but not to a dangerous level. E.g. just not finishing his dinner, leaving half his lunch etc. Food hasnt been a problem in the past.. Now has a new girlfriend who is anorexic and since getting together with her a few weeks ago, has severely restricted food. Gave taken to the gp. Very very worried and I guess I just need some support and to know there's nothing else I can be doing. It feels like I'm losing my son.

OP posts:
Anon4Now2015 · 08/07/2015 18:03

If he's been referred to CAMHS for something else then chase up the referral with the new info. You can either do this yourself or get the GP to do it (depending on your area if you ring yourself they may ask you to get the GP to send the new info or they may just take it from you) Food restricting is one of the higher level priorities for CAMHS and will almost certainly cut his waiting time considerably.

derxa · 08/07/2015 18:09

Not sure if this will help. My son was scarily thin at the same stage. He is now very healthy and very fit at 25. I have no advice but Flowers

maras2 · 08/07/2015 19:15

Agree with all posts.Please monitor his internet use as those disgusting 'Pro Anna' sites are hugely popular amongst teen anorexics.Hoping for the best for you and your family.

scribblescribble · 08/07/2015 19:59

Thank you all for your positive messages and valuable information. Very much appreciatedFlowers

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scribblescribble · 08/07/2015 20:12

Camhs are aware of the new info and have given practical advice to monitor eating and advised to get bmi and bloods done at gp which we did today *bloods tomorrow. Will contact psychiatrist next week with update on how he is and go from there. He managed to eat a whole evening meal (supervised) and half of his favourite pudding. Think seeing the gp today may have temporarily shifted his perspective! However, he's now on phone to girlfriend :/

Have had a good read through some of those disgusting pro ana sites to try to gain some insight into the thinking behind it..

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Bluetrews25 · 08/07/2015 20:33

Tough one. I used to work on an eating disorder unit. Best thing would be if you could get him to be with people who don't have food issues, and pick up with her when they are BOTH well (but ideally not!)
He has translated emotional pain into 'feeling fat' and a dislike of his body, and thinks that if he changes his body 'loses the fat' he will be able to fix the emotional pain. He is using the wrong medicine, like trying to fix a broken leg with a haircut. Until he figures out what it is that is making him 'feel fat' he will keep losing weight until there is no more to lose. If he can identify the source of the emotional pain, and work to fix that, he will no longer feel fat.
Hope that makes sense.
Sounds simple, but I do realise that it can be a long, tough road.
Keep fighting for all the support you can get.

scribblescribble · 08/07/2015 22:01

Just to say that I've read through each message again and will take everything on board. Can't reply to each one individually but once again, appreciate all advice!

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