teen eating issues support thread

[myrtleWilson]

Hello,
would anyone be interested in joining a thread to support each other as we support teens with eating disorders @MNHQ - I'm tagging you in as am conscious of triggering issues and wanted your ok/ground rules to such a thread..

Happy to share our story with DD if others would feel it is helpful...

We're okay, dd went back to school Ystd and it was weigh day today, she has put on a small amount 0.7kg. Get the feeling that has stressed dd a bit as she's been quiet/grumpy since then.

She has her therapy zoom session tomorrow.

That sounds positive myrtle.

Oh, sounds positive re the therapy, Myrtle - a good sign

Reasonably calm here, a small gain for dd2 at weigh-in yesterday and today she went into school for 2 lessons

She's desperate to go back full time, so I'm hoping that'll be enough to keep the momentum going

Oh, sounds positive re the therapy, Myrtle - a good sign

Reasonably calm here, a small gain for dd2 at weigh-in yesterday and today she went into school for 2 lessons

She's desperate to go back full time, so I'm hoping that'll be enough to keep the momentum going

Zoom session went okay, our Camhs worker has said we should hear from the psychiatrist this week re an appointment with her. I asked about the ASD diagnosis and he's going to follow up with that as well.

We're going out for dinner tonight as a lockdown eve treat, dd was not very happy about it but I feel that being able to eat out occasionally is important so 🤷‍♀️

Hope everyone else is doing okay.

Have a lovely meal out tonight, Girliefriend

Dd and I have just been for a pre-lockdown hot chocolate in Costa - she had a chocolate orange, and even ate the little chocolate orange segment that came with it - chocolate is a 'fear food', so that was good to see

She was disappointed with her Zoom therapy today - was hoping to be allowed back to school full time, but they're thinking of putting plans in place for a fortnight's time She was definitely crestfallen, but has had a good lunch, so the motivation is still strong Phew!

Meal out went okay, dd was twitchy about pudding but did have a small bowl of ice cream. Refused milk and biscuits in the evening though 😕

I told her this morning that if at the next weigh in she has lost weight two things will happen; first she will not be told any more weights as it will be assumed she is deliberately losing weight when she knows it had increased. Secondly she will be supervised at school when eating by a teacher.

That went down like a lead balloon....

Sorry that the hope of school hasn't been granted yet but hopefully soon theyseeher

Girlie Am glad you were able to get out before lockdown started but at the refusal.

Yes, am hopeful about the eating support worker, although the idea of a practical stranger popping in to join mealtimes is a bit weird...

We've had an emotional week but made some teeny steps of progress in getting DD to have a bit more food (she's still not completing plan though) but it is heartbreaking, she refuses, we push, she eventually gets upset, then sometimes angry, this morning she literally pulled her hair out, then she breaks down, we hold her, usually cry a bit and then hold her fortisip whilst she closes her eyes to drink it. Then she apologies and we hug it out... Exhausting for us all but hopefully baby steps...

In the nicest possible way this is the thread I never wanted to join. I've lurked for a bit.

Had a dietician appt for DD2, As soon as someone saw her and checked her she was admitted straight to hospital there and then. We've been there a week, just got out.

At least she is medically stable now, she's only 12, so so young.

I'm a complete novice that would really appreciate the knowledge and experience you all have if that's ok

Sorry should have said diagnosed anorexia but no bulimia or laxatives etc. Just really strict anorexia

Hi Tr1 I'm sorry you're here - in the nicest possible way!! This is def the thread that no one would want to be on.

I'd advice getting a copy of the Eva Musby book ASAP as loads of tips in there about getting your dd to eat. Also FEAST and BEAT are both good charities for support.

Have you been offered much support now you're home?

Hello and welcome, Tr1, sorry you've had to join the thread but I hope it is helpful for you and your dd - I've got some good advice from it, and a necessary venting outlet

DayB1, your dd's care seems so erratic - it seems to go from full-on hospital tube-feeding to even less than my dd (who has never been hospitalised) is getting I was recommended a book (I know, groan, another book) called 'Surviving Family Therapy' by Maria Ganci I haven't read it yet but it's downloaded on my Kindle (as half the price on Kindle!) Like you, I'd rather have concise, clear instructions from experts rather than a whole book, but it may be of use if you haven't already been recommended

I'm actually glad about lockdown 2 this weekend, as without it I'd be having 2 days of dd in a furious rage about missing dance and her friends - but none of that's happening anyway, so she's pretty calm

Fortnightly surprised me DayB1, as dd's therapy was 2x weekly for the initial few weeks - now it is weekly but if she loses weight it will go back to twice a week

I've been very lucky that dd hasn't refused eating since she was assessed - although it's the devil's own job to get snacks or puddings into her, she continues to eat 3 meals a day without fuss - but if she does, we're encouraged to call the office and they promise to get back to us as soon as possible (on the same day at least)

We also have a number for a round-the-clock helpline for any mental health support, which I could use for myself if I felt desperate

Welcome Tr1 - sorry you've had to find yourself here but there's loads of support.

Day - like theyseeher I'm befuddled by the care you're getting - it seems so erratic. I think sometimes the in-hospital/discharge pinball machine effect can kick in.

For comparison - DD gets 1x individual motivational therapy per week plus 1x family therapy per week plus home visits at some mealtimes by eating support worker plus 1x dietician call every fortnight and weekly observations (blood only taken on 4 week cycle now).

In terms of eating, Dd eats 20g of porridge in the morning (is given 40g), has a mid morning snack of coffee, carrot batons, rice cake, for lunch she eats most of a bowl of soup, some yoghurt & fruit, crisp bread. Afternoon snack is usually hot chocolate/chocolate milk and a biscuit, dinner is 1 fish finger, some vegetables no carbs and fruit, finally, supper is Ovaltine and a biscuit/crispbread/rice cake.

We offer fortisip to top up each meal which is usually refused but we've made teeny steps of progress as per my previous post which is heartbreaking to watch...

My DD ping ponged over a six week period she but hasn't been hospitalised for over a month now as they are keen to keep her at home if at all possible. CAMHS here are very clear that there isn't a BMI/weight requirement to be taken on - they look at the child holistically....

Do you have a care co-ordinator for your DD?