Anorexia Nervosa

[DebBow]

I have a daughter (now 21) who was severley ill with Anorexia Nervosa for 8 years and spent 3 years in a residential hospital. At times, I did not think she would recover as she was so ill. However , through her own determination and with much love and support from her twin sister and me, she is well and happy. She is at uni studying to become a pediatric nurse, lives in a flat independenty and is happy in her first relationship. If I can be of any help to other Mum's , do get in touch as I have a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Anorexia is such an evil illness, it takes over your child, grinds down their self esteem to make them feel worthless and leaves them emotionless. Never give up as the child you love who is still in there, trapped , and longing to escape.

So glad to hear your DD is doing well.

I agree about how evil it is. My DD1 is 13 and has been suffering for 2 years, including a 6 months residential stay in an EDU. I really hope we're not still on this road in 8 years time.

I had anorexia and bulimia myself between the ages of 14 and 22 and had 4 separate stints in residential hospitals. So 8 years for me too and I also know it's possible to come out of it happy and healthy.

All the best to your DD. I'm certainly not giving up on mine

i hope your DD1 comes through it all. At least you understand what she is going through and can support her all the way. I remember my DD saying that she thought i would stop loving her - but no way...! She also thanks me for never ever making her feel guilty about her illness. Sadly , her father left us a month before she was due home after being in the residential hospital for 3 years - he could not cope with her illness and was ashamed. Sad for him as he has lost out on seeing his beautiful daughter grow up into such a super young lady.

Hi Debbow - thanks so much for offering your support. It was very re-assuring for me to hear that your daughter has tackled this horrible illness and is now leading a normal life. What you say about a child being trapped really rang true. My DD1, 11, has had an assessment with CAMHS and now we are waiting for some 1-1 sessions - but have been warned we may have a long wait. She has had a phobia about being sick (emetophobia) and several other anxiety issues for several years. This has always limited her eating to some extent (refusing cake etc) but in recent months this restricting of food has got more and more extreme and bizarre (massive panics if she thinks she will have to eat the same thing twice in one day, worrying that some foods are poisonous, constantly wanting me to measure portions, constantly asking for re-assurance that what she is about to eat is ok, constantly worrying afterwards that she has had too much, worrying about what she will eat the next day - and I do mean CONSTANTLY). I think she is probably eating about half of what she needs, although she never skips a meal entirely. There is quite a strong OCD element to her behaviour too - eg won't eat in a room with the door open. Recently, for the first time, she has started to worry about her weight as well. I think she would probably be termed as having an atypical eating disorder but I am struggling to find much info about this. I am worried that whatever treatment we are offered, won't really get to grips with all her phobia, anxiety and OCD-like issues. I am really worried about how we make sure she gets the right kind of help. And I am finding this waiting for our sessions to start really difficult. Also worried about her physical health - she is not skeletal, but v. thin, pale, tired, cold. Think might take her back to GP, but this will freak her out. Are there any books you could recommend?

Thank you again