Help - think DD needs urgent help

[WhatsitWiggle]

DD is 16, autistic, severe anxiety, suicidal thoughts and ideation. We've been waiting for CAMHS help for months already, and even a private psych assessment is still two weeks away (been waiting since early April).

DD has been restricting her food. Initially, I wasn't too concerned, because she was making healthy choices and broadening her food options. But then I realised she was losing weight. Contacted CAMHS, they weren't concerned. Contacted GP, also not concerned. Left it another month, tried again. This time, after 4 weeks, managed to see a GP who made an urgent referral to eating disorders for assessment.

That was today and it came out DD has been restricting to 400 calories. I knew she wasn't eating a lot, I didn't realise it was so little. She's 1st percentile, 44kgs at 165cm tall. She was 50kg early March.

The clinic said they'd ring this afternoon but didn't. I've googled and I'm terrified - she's really not well. How do I get us both through the weekend until I can call on Monday and see what the treatment plan is?

Prayers and a handhold..

usually take a family approach initially, so weekly meetings, with you enforcing 3 meals a day and 3 snacks. Will involve you watching her eat every morsel. There are books … https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993059805/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item?nodl=1&dplnkId=95840cae-9a4c-4f35-a15b-9f7e83e3d385

The family approach is meant to be the most successful and is often effective within a reasonable time frame. If this fails I have heard that the ED team will come watch someone eat if they refuse consistently for parents. If things escalate young people can become day patients and go home at night, sometimes young people have to be fully admitted. However ED clinic are seriously underfunded and even with suicide attempts there is little support.

personally in your shoes I’d be pushing a medication review to ease anxiety/depression. She may feel rougher for the first fortnight with a medication change but much better a month or so down the line at which point talking therapies might help.

@PardonMee thank you. The private psych assessment was so we could ask for medication for the anxiety. Hopefully we can get that sooner from the ED clinic - I've read a different one is used for ED, so I'm clued up on what to ask for.