Not eating when anxious

[lorisparkle]

So ds2 (15) has had a really difficult time with bullying resulting in not going to school for 18months

He is quite underweight because when he is anxious / depressed he stops eating

He is just starting to return to school but says he can not eat or drink in school

Any ideas for supporting him

Does he perceive this to be a problem? The not eating, I mean, not the people bullying, which is clearly a problem...

I would address the root cause- bullying and anxiety, while also talking to my child about nutrition and helping him to see for himself that eating is important. Maybe he can think of ways that he could perhaps bring himself to eat a little bit- maybe he would try cereal bars, or tiny sandwiches, or fruit leather or something like that to nibble on as he walks down the hall.

What can be done about the bullying?

I meant to add how sorry I am that he is going through this shit- it is awful

Thank you. It has been a very complex and stressful experience for all of us.

We are hoping that the bullying has been stopped but the impact of it has been huge

He does recognise that not eating is a problem but he does not have any ideas of what might help.

I feel his pain. All my friends comfort eat at stressful times but I'm the opposite, I physically can't eat if I'm anxious. Even as an adult I still struggle

@MysticalMegx I do sympathise with him too because i have a tendency not to eat when I am anxious/stressed. It is so hard when it your DS.

I will try and get him some easy to eat bits that he can have in his bag so he can eat to and from school. The whole day is such a long time.