anorexc 12 year old daughter

[susie1962]

My daughter has just been diagnosed with anorexia and we are just starting CBT and counselling but this all seems so slow to get going and we need help now. For example when she hasn't eaten all day and then refuses her evening meal what do we do?

My advice (as a recovering Anorexic) is to sit with her until she eats what is in front of her and acknowledge the uncomfortable feelings that eating will generate. It is a long and hard path and I wish you and your daughter a speedy and healthy recovery.

It takes time to recover from an eating disorder, for every 2 steps forward you take one back! The first thing which could take a while but is most important, is that she needs to admit she actually has anorexia (if she hasn't already). She can't be in denial. Make sure she eats the evening meal - she needs to recover and learn food is not the enemy, it's fuel. When you are anorexic (speaking from experience) you are actually scared of the food so therefore give her lots of encouragement. It will take time, but as long as you don't give up and neither does she, you will get there in the end. Good luck!x

Sorry you are going through this worry. Something that was very helpful to me was to identify some 'safe' foods. So if I didn't feel able to eat - there was a postcard with some foods on that I'd thought through in more rational moments. So, I could have a skimmed milkshake/small bowl of noodle soup etc I think sitting for long periods with parents trying to make me eat are some of the worst memories for me - but this is my own personal experience. I had regular slots with a dietician on top of therapy and this was really important to me to hear food truths? It is a hard recovery but it can be done, especially when recognised early. It took as many years of not eating well for me to get better with support (6 years) not sure if this would be a general guideline. If you have anything you want to ask please do, if it helps.

I imagine this was asked in a moment of desperation and worry and I think asking people who may have experienced ed for advice is legitimate and coming from a good place and the very essence of mumsnet?

Also, access to services is a mixed and terribly slow experience sometimes. Op, presuming you've been in touch with beat?

I just want to thank everyone for all your advice. You are right I was desperate (and still am a lot of the time) when I posted my question.

The Doctors are insisting that she has 3 meals a day and 3 snacks and I just need tips on how to achieve this.

I will contact beat.

thanks again

Susie do pm me if I can be of any help