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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Early signs of anorexia...?

105 replies

TabbyTigger · 22/11/2017 13:47

I don’t know if there’s a more specific area to post this (I couldn’t find one?). I think this is going to be long so please stick with me, I just want to give the full picture and not drip feed Smile

I’m concerned DD might be showing early signs of anorexia. She’s 12 and in year 8. Her dad recently re-married and moved in with his wife and her daughter, who is DD’s age. They’ve never got along - they’re in the same year at school. This girl sends DD all sorts of mean messages when she’s hear but speaks in a babyish voice and is sweet to her face (although can break out into screaming/kicking, even at nearly 13). DD as a result has become increasingly reluctant to go to her dad’s - fairly sure she was faking having a migraine last weekend to avoid it, and has decided to stopp going midweek because she says it disrupts her routine. I accepted this at face value until she started confiding more about not getting on with ex-H’s DSD. I’m also pregnant (due in Feb) and DS moved out in September (to study, not because of anything dramatic), so it’s been a relatively big year for her.

She’s always been relatively slim and very sporty - trampolining and dance both in and out of school, a martial art out of school and part of the school netball team. This year she’s suddenly taken on much more dance after getting into a few companies, and has also started going to boxing twice a week before school, and going to badminton and volleyball at lunch. She has packed lunches and her lunchbox always comes back completely empty which it never used to. She’d often leave orange peel/wrappers/tinfoil/clingfilm in there. On weekends she doesn’t eat lunch - she has breakfast (sometimes as small as an orange, the past week I’ve convinced her to eat a (plain) croissant on most) but very rarely will eat her lunch. She used to always just eat what I made for younger DC and we’d sit around the table and eat it together. Over half term she asked to make her own, but I would repeatedly call her and remind her of lunch and she’d keep saying she wasn’t hungry and would wait for tea, or would get some crackers and take them up to her room. I found about 10-12 crackers in various places her room this morning, not even hidden. The only days when she ate a proper lunch were those when her friends were round and I made them the same as the whole family. She has packed lunches on weekends because she is at dance rehearsals all day, which if I’d known she was going to take up so much during the week I absolutely would not have allowed. (I let her do it on the basis that she quit her out of school trampolining and did just one session of her martial art a week). And again, the lunch box comes home totally empty - like the contents has just been disposed of.

Now onto tea: she does eat tea, but never all of it. She used to eat all her tea and have pudding. Now she often rejects pudding and just eats sort of half. For example, last night (after a day in which she’d done boxing and trampolining at school and had a dance class later in the evening) we had nachos with tomato sauce/lots of cheese, peas, and garlic bread. She ate all of the peas, I think two pieces of garlic bread (I didn’t manage to count but it was no more than two), and very much picked at her nachos - probably ate about half. When she got back from dance I offered her soup as a sort of supper (because she’d not eaten a lot of tea) and she said no. She also used to always have a snack first thing when she got home - not any more.

So. Am I being paranoid and overreacting? And if I’m not, what do I do? Who do I speak to? How do I manage it better? I’ve told her she has to quit 3 activities after Christmas (she said she had to do the whole term because she’d signed up - I’m skeptical so might ask the school), but she definitely does love dancing so much so I’m reluctant to make her cut down on that.

Sorry that this is so long, and please be gentle. This is really new and scary territory.

OP posts:
TabbyTigger · 24/11/2017 16:26

Also not sure ex-H would agree to attend a meeting called by school (can they force him to?). He’d potentially take his bat home and refuse, and use his work as an excuse - he’s never been to a parents’ evening or school/dance show, or match, despite both kids being in plenty, and didn’t come to any meetings I had with DS’s school when he had two fits in school a few years ago. Quite an absent dad really, though I so wanted him to maintain a good relationship with the DCs.

OP posts:
jay55 · 24/11/2017 18:23

I wonder if your daughter does so many lunchtime activities because she is then safe and supervised.

Brightredpencil · 24/11/2017 18:42

You've described EXACTLY my sister who developed severe anorexia. Good on you for seeing this. You need to access professional help for her. She will or rather the illness will LIE AND LIE AND LIE to you. It's a horrible way of handling it for the sufferer.

bunbon · 24/11/2017 18:49

Sorry to the posters I upset, I was quite emotional when I wrote that. What I meant was please don't try to force feeding/weighing without medical guidance, as it can be quite easy to just make things worse if you don't really know for sure how to approach it. It's not unheard of for parents to try and tackle these things alone. Though I suppose you might still disagree with me and that's valid.

OP I'm glad the doctor sounds helpful but my heart is breaking that her dad doesn't sound interested. Maybe jay55 is right, it certainly sounds possible. I'm hoping the GP will give you lots of support through this, please do make sure you're taking care of yourself during all of this too and maybe look at some support groups/forums/therapy yourself if you feel you need it. I know my mum confided in a friend whose daughter was also anorexic and they really relied on each other a lot when things were at their worst.

TheNoseyProject · 24/11/2017 19:48

Op in the nicest possible way I think you’ve given her a touch too much choice on what to do about the bullying. She’s all confused because of the family connection and you’ve done the, understandable thing, of saying ‘what do you want?’ but she doesn’t really know what she wants and it leaves all the responsibility for finding a solution on her which is probably a touch too much even though she sounds like a lovely mature 12 year old. I really hope that doesn’t come across as criticism, it’s not meant to, it’s just a reflection from the outside as you’re in the confused situation.

I think it sounds like you’re doing really positive stuff and I think you sound really on her side. She’s lucky to have you.

NinonDeLenclos · 24/11/2017 20:25

I’m almost scared he won’t care

From what you say I think it's a strong possiblity that this may be way too much hassle for your ex and he may take the easiest route possible. If he does try to engage with the DD/SD issues he may well keep siding with SD and her mum against DD because it's easier. I can't see him having the moral courage to put himself on a collision course with his new partner over SD's behaviour and that will be toxic for DD. He may not even bother to try to engage with their issues, or DDs issues, or turn up at school.

Given the way he's given up with your son, I'm not overly optimistic.

TabbyTigger · 24/11/2017 20:31

I do agree with you TheNoseyProject, I think I failed to take action because I want relations with her dad to be good (both between her and him and me and him) and just kept hoping that it was just an issue with adjusting to the new household, not a long term problem Sad I definitely regret not pushing forward on those occasions when I very nearly did report it (but listened when she begged me not to). I have brought it up with her dad a number of times, he just seems totally disengaged from the situation. Like I said - DD tried to show him the messages as evidence but the step daughter managed to cry and lie her way out of it. She seems to have everyone under her thumb.

bunbon I’m definitely not going to try and tackle it alone, don’t worry. I’m currently trying to strike a balance between taking it seriously but also not escalating it, seeing as this is definitely an early stage and could develop into something serious or nothing.

The theory about lunchtime activities would make sense - she does an activity on 4 lunches (volleyball, badminton, “open studio” which is sort of chilled out dance taught often by older students, and Italian). The school does encourage at least 2 lunchtime activities though and I know most of her friends do a similar amount, so it didn’t concern me at first (until she started eating less). Planning to chat to her one evening in the next week and tell her about the GP appointment, and the meeting with her form tutor (tell her she can join or I can go alone if I have pictures of messages and some clear examples of conflict).

Just about to send the text to ex-H (although just noticed he ignored my last asking for a discussion about DD and step daughter, which I sent 5 days ago Angry) -
“Hi, we really do need to chat about [DD]. Until we manage to sit down and have a proper discussion about the issues between her and [Step sister] I don’t feel comfortable with her coming to your house, and I know she doesn’t want to. I am going to be getting school involved as well, this whole situation isn’t fair on either child. You’re welcome to take DD out for tea/ to the cinema/ on a dog walk whenever you want to (provided she’s free). Just text her about that :) and tell me when you’re available to meet for a proper discussion.”

OP posts:
TabbyTigger · 24/11/2017 20:34

Ninon I’m also not optimistic Sad he’s taken the step daughter’s side before (chosen to believe her tears over DD’s physical evidence) and took his wife’s side over his son on a previous issue (as well as being pretty vile to DS in general about his choice of training).

OP posts:
UmmKultum · 24/11/2017 20:34

Bunbon
I'm not upset but I also know what the latest evidence says and that what you are saying is simply wrong. You MUST get your child to eat. With lots of love and support and compassion but eating is non-negotiable.

Unfortunately, because of lack of awareness of anorexia and the latest evidence and old-fashioned idea, many children get shit treatment. All the ideas that anorexia is due to some underlying issues and that you need to solve those issues or that it's about control or that it's about dysfunctional families or that it's about looking good or that the child has to want to get better herself (good luck with that one and anorexia). No, it's not. It's simply been shown to be untrue (if you're interested, I can show you plenty of links to research).

And, in fact, because of CAMHS underfunding, many parents have to wait weeks or even months to get any treatment at all for their children (and then it's often not sufficient until they're medically unstable when they're way down the rabbit hole by that point), so what do you do in the meantime? Allow your child to continue to starve or feed them?

As a result many families DO have to do refeeding on their own and weighing on their own. And even with medical support, family based treatment involves the families finding the best way to support their children to eat in a loving and non-critical way. There is no medical professional telling you how to do it, they just tell you you must do it

Some resources for any parents struggling with this
Websites:
www.feast-ed.org/
If you go to no other sites, go to this one, there is wealth of information and an extremely supportive forum with parents from all over the world

anorexiafamily.com/
Really nice site by a mum who successfully refed her daughter and has now become an activist for eating disorder education

www.maudsleyparents.org/
The Maudsley hospital was the leader in family based treatment and it's often called the Maudsley method

Books:
(I like these as they describe normal and functional families with children who fall down the rabbit hole to anorexia, none of this 'it's all about control' stuff)
"Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia" Harriet Brown
"Anorexia and other Eating Disorders: how to help your child eat well and be well" Eva Musby
"Eating with your anorexic" Laura Collins

Videos:
(explaining FBT)

(modelling how parents can do refeeding)

Good luck OP. Sounds like you're struggling wiht a lot but just to highlight that however distressing the stepsister situation , if your DD does have anorexia, then this situation is not the cause although it might make dealing with it more tricky (because it puts the whole family under enormous strain). I hope you go back to the GP in 2 weeks and all is well but don't let your guard down, anorexia is a sneaky nasty illness and good that you've been alert to it.

Lanaorana2 · 24/11/2017 20:45

Focus on stopping the stepsister bullying your DD senseless. That's the main root problem and luckily for you it's fixable. Anorexia...not so much.

If the father won't help, talk to the school again and see a shrink.

Your poor, poor DD.

TabbyTigger · 24/11/2017 20:48

Thank you for all the resources UmmKultum. I will definitely look at all of them, as well as the really useful stuff the GP has given me and signposted me to. I think we will try to tackle the family issue immediately, so that it becomes clearer whether this is the start of an actual anorexic disorder, or just the product of a need for control/ a bout of depression/anxiety that’s causing her to lose appetite. Because right now it’s obviously not clear - particularly as she’s never expressed contempt for her body. I’m going to keep trying with nice food/ gentle encouragement/ nagging and try not to make a huge fuss about the food issue specifically just yet, but instead focus on kicking up a fuss with the school/step family about the bullying. I’m going to chat to her about noticing a drop in her appetite and an increase in exercise and ask her friend if she’s noticed any odd lunch behaviour, as well as persuading her to drop a few activities. And after the GP appointment in a few weeks we will hopefully have a clearer picture of what exactly the issue is and what long term help DD will need, or maybe find out that I’m being too paranoid and she is in fact eating all her lunch... (which though I know is looking unlikely right now, would be wonderful, if awfully embarrassing!)

OP posts:
Lanaorana2 · 24/11/2017 20:53

Send DH this message:

'Hi. As you know from my comms, DD has been very unhappy for some time. I'm afraid her health is now at risk and I have been advised to get help. I am speaking to her school and medics next week. We should talk about this beforehand - can you let me know tonight when you can make it. This is confidential, of course - I'm sure you'll agree that no one in either family should know about it before DD does. It had better be at (mine or somewhere neutral). Bye OP'

Lanaorana2 · 24/11/2017 20:58

Then this one 30 min later:

'I'm sure you're busy, but please don't ignore this text. To confirm, your DDs health is at risk and the school and docs will want to speak to you or be told why you have chosen not to engage.'

Which they will and you need to prove it when he's cut out.

kootoo123 · 24/11/2017 21:10

Hmm as someone who went through this at her age there are some hints in her behaviour s.
Id throw lunch away in one go rather than open and leave peel etc Mainly as id be hungry and harder to manage not eating so empty box indicates this. Although I used to chuck a few cornflakes and drop of milk in bowl and leave it around so dp would assume id eaten. Eating tea but id also spit it into a napkin or tissue when dm wasnt looking.

Deffo get some professional advice and dont say things like your fine the way you are or your sporty fit. These will all be heard as your fat. Another is have you lost weight you look so thin.... Will be heard as excellent its working il step it up.

Can you have a sneaky look at internet history for pro ana sites.

niccyb · 24/11/2017 21:12

I think you have a right to be suspicious. Have you you tried Camhs? They will be able to do a full assessment and diagnosis

niccyb · 24/11/2017 21:13

I think you have a right to be suspicious. Have you you tried Camhs? They will be able to do a full assessment and diagnosis

bunbon · 24/11/2017 21:14

UmmmKultum
Sorry, I thought you were upset with me because your post read rather bluntly or as if you were irritated, but thats probably just be me being sensitive.
I am really interested in the research if you don't mind? I feel like this has changed a lot since it was relevant for me. The root causes seemed to be considered very relevant at the time so it would be good to read what the accepted theory by the professionals is now Smile sounds like you're very involved/knowledgeable in all of this

Fanciedachange17 · 24/11/2017 21:47

My heart goes out to you and your lovely DD. My own feelings are to come down very hard on the bullying. I'd screen shot and print out everything and I would be taking it to the school. My own DD started texting inappropriate messages to an online male friend when she was 12 and I'm afraid I marched into the police station and made an appointment for an officer to talk to her. It was brutal of me although the police officer was really sweet to her but it worked. The step sister has to be stopped but I don't think you can really protect your DD from her if she has to visit her Dad. You sound so lovely and caring and I really hope you find a way through this.

Madreputa · 24/11/2017 21:56

Is she training to be an olympic gymnast? It's way too much sporting activity for a 12 year old. When does she study?

PurpleAlerts · 24/11/2017 21:58

My DD went through similar when she was 13. Eating less, losing weight, lunch coming back hardly touched and her school were keeping an eye because they noticed a few of the girls seem to be competitively not eating.

I went to the doctor in my own to talk about it then took her and she saw him on his own. Luckily there was a nurse at the practise who was experienced with this sort of problem and DD went to see her for counselling every week for a few months. I never asked what they discussed but it seemed to do the trick and once the school holidays came, and she was away form the other girls, she slowly came round to normal eating again.

We were so lucky that there was help available nearby without any lengthy referrals to CAMHS- have always been so grateful to the nurse who helped her- she was amazing.

YoloSwaggins · 24/11/2017 22:07

To be honest, the step-sister sounds vile and maybe she does all these activities to avoid her.

The eating thing might be a symptom of anxiety, or trying to regain control.

I think the main solution here is to sort out the bullying - report the stepsister regardless of it upsets ex-H and her mum, or move schools.

bunbon · 24/11/2017 22:46

UmmmKultum

I can totally understand why that would be frustrating. As I said I think I was just reading too much into your replies and being defensive since nobody likes being wrong at the best of times and honestly, it's been one of those days! Thanks for being so respectful and educational.

Thanks so much for all the links, I'll make them my evening reading this weekend. But I'll stop posting now so I don't derail the thread Smile

ApproachingATunnel · 25/11/2017 00:05

I think eating disorders can be a coping strategy, a way to release all pent up stress/distress that cannot be released in other ways. It was like that for me. I wasn’t coping well with my situation as a teenager and developed bulimia from 14-15y/o.
It is obvious that the major stressor for your daughter is her step sister. There might be other things but this stands out by a mile. My guess is she is not coping with all the bullying/harassment from this vile girl and doesn’t quite feel she can address it properly with you or her dad. So she is resorting to controlling her food intake as a means of coping. This is where i think going all medical on her and weighing her in, forcing to eat etc. will not be helpful at all. In fact, i think such an approach will make things worse so please thread carefully. I would try to remove the stress from her environment such as not letting her go to dad’s until the situation with step daughter is resolved (which might not happen, she sounds a vile little thing). Make that decision for her so that she doesnt feel guilty.
Might sound extreme but i would be exploring the possibility of changing schools. Another 4 years of being hounded by the step sister on daily basis and bullied is a veeery long time. Her self esteem might be shattered at the end of it.

She needs hugs from you and to know you are there to listen and to solve the problems she is currently having. Flowers

VelvetKK · 25/11/2017 00:13

As much as I get the reasons for changing schools, I also think that would be another stressful and anxiety provoking situation which could make the situation worse as well. At least at the current school, OP's DD has support in place and teachers that know her so know what typical behaviours are and can monitor this.