Picky eating vs something more serious

[debbiesdrama]

Recently my 13 year old son has been very off his food to the point where getting him to eat anything is a nightmare. He has always been a good eater since he was young but recently I have noticed he has developed disordered eating habits e.g. not eating breakfast or taking lunch to school.

I have also noticed a change in his body and his complexion is rather pale he has also had an abrupt change in personality and mood to the point where I'm feeling I'm loosing my perfect boy who was once so happy and full of life.

Does anyone know how I should deal with this as I'm worried it will escalate into something much worse.

Hello, you'll get more of a response on the parents of young people/teens with eating disorders
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/eating_disorders/4718773-support-thread-8for-parents-of-young-people-with-an-eating-disorder

It can be a bit overwhelming when you first join as there are so many of us with different (and often harrowing) stories.

Others are far better informed, but what I would say is that a period of not eating enough can trigger an eating disorder. You starve the brain for long enough and the person loses the ability to think logically. And so it goes on.

So for that reason, if you suspect an issue, it's best to act as soon as possible. I knew something was wrong with my daughter but I was in denial because I worried that if I brought it up, I'd somehow make it worse.

Do you know if he's lost weight?

As I'm sure you know, growing teens need enormous amounts of calories to fuel puberty. Like 3000 calories. So he should be eating a good breakfast (my daughter, who no longer needs to gain weight, has three weetabix with milk, peanut butter and fruit or two of those packets of porridge also with peanut butter and fruit). Then a snack midmorning, a good lunch, another snack, supper with a dessert, another snack. You should monitor what he eats, without making too much of a deal of it, and see if he's getting enough. If he lashes out or finds being encouraged to eat upsetting, then think about making an appointment with the GP.

Good luck and well done for being so aware.