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12 year old daughter lockdown anxiety & ED

3 replies

ancientgeordiegirl · 22/06/2020 12:00

Hello looking for advice - my 12 year old daughter has started becoming obsessed with food during lockdown. She is a healthy weight within the correct BMI range, not skinny but feels she’s chubby. We give positive messages re eating, exercise, etc. but she says all the girls at her school are skinny and thin and she wants to lose weight. In the last few weeks her eating has reduced significantly and she refuses to eat more. I’m talking with her and she’s telling me what she’s eating which I hope is positive so she’s not being secretive but would like advice to get on top of this before it becomes a more serious issue.

OP posts:
BobbleTron · 27/06/2020 22:57

Hi - my 12 year old daughter started on a similar path last year. You might have already found them, but if not, get Eva Musby’s book, also James Lock’s Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder, and Rachel Bryant Waugh’s Parents’ Guide. Also look at the FEAST forum. My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in Feb; she started restricting in October and I wish I’d acted faster. She’s getting better now - with CAHMS support - but it has been hard work, and if she needs it, the sooner you start to help her the better. Don’t wait - trust your instincts!!

ancientgeordiegirl · 30/06/2020 15:28

Thank you very much it’s very scary as her eating has changed so quickly - I will get those books - I’ve managed to get her some private counselling and also going to my GP with her on Thursday to see what CAHMS support is available- has your daughter found any books helpful? My daughter now says she’s scared that food will make her fat which is heartbreaking to hear

OP posts:
BobbleTron · 01/07/2020 18:37

Yes, it's heart breaking... Good luck tomorrow; our GP was unhelpful and obstructive - read up on the BEAT website, also NICE. It took 4 months to get to CAMHS and even then his referral didn't include her weight... We had some private help through that time which was a lifeline. I haven't found any books that aren't directed at parents / carers, or older people - we had a few workbooks but my daughter has always been quite resistant to talking about it! Message me if you want to stay in touch / I can send the workbooks we had if you want?

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