DD and eating disorder, help!!

[annierodgers1]

My DD has bulimia which is extremely difficult for the whole family. She is 16 and a sibling of three. I have never experienced any of my children to have eating disorders before. DD will experience cycles of days without eating then days of binging and making herself sick in the toilet straight after. This is upsetting to the whole family and we don’t know how to help.

She is undergoing eating disorder counselling at camhs which she says it helps but she is still making herself sick. We try and stay with her after she eats but she always manages to get away from us. After she is sick, the bathroom always reeks and is horrible for the family.

Any advice on how to help?

I'm emetophobic so my sympathies to you OP. Is she normal weight? I think the person has got to really want to stop

I'm sorry to hear this OP.

From my personal experience it's been a life long condition starting at 16 and I'll be 50 this year. When young it was completely out of control but as I got older I understood the triggers and is once or twice a year.

In hindsight it is obvious my mother had eating issues which she passed on to me and my sister. DS had anorexia at 10, we went to family counselling which included discussing the diets I'd been on since 10 (chubby child for 70/80s). I'm 6 years older which then felt like it was my fault she was so ill (great group counselling!?)

My family weirdly never knew about my bulimia when younger. I discuss it with my sister and friends so they are aware of my internal fight.

I think I felt less loved as each of my siblings arrived, 4 of us within 6 years and turned to food for comfort.

One of my issues when younger was having to much emphasis placed on sweets / cakes etc as being 'bad' food and being band.. as I got older l had to learn they are allowed in moderation and some food just insist worth the calories... but I also have an issue with wasted food (those starving children in African!) anyhow find the route.

Look at scheme therapy.

Good luck!

Eating disorder is supports to improving weight gain issues, So better to seek medical expert advices is gives some good results.

Please don't tell her the bathroom reeks and the whole family is upset. I'm sure she feels bad enough without everyone making about them. As for the pp who said she needs to want to change, it's a mental illness! Do you say that about people with psychosis? No. Is private therapy an option?