I aM so so worried about ds (13)

[belcantwait]

We have reached crisis point, he has hit complete rock bottom

He's always been a slightly 'troubled' child, since about aug last year he has been severely restricting his food intake, has been biting himself , been depressed on and off
Yesterday I discover he has ramped up the self harm and is now cutting himself with scissors. I have found a blog he's been writing with suicidal type notes he's written on it. He's really down, physically he looks terrible, his bmi is now 16

I took him to gp in jan about all this. She was useless, said there was no point referring to CAMHS til she was sure there was eating disorder present. Didn't even acknowledge the self harming behaviours.

So todayi have contacted CAMHS myself it can't go on I am beside myself with worry. And unfortunately today my elderly mum has flu and cannot lookafter my dad who has dementia so I have had to farm the kids off to my lovely friend for the day and night so I can look after them. Feel so guilty and anxious and worried. She will take good care of him tonight but I know how depressed he is :((((((
Wondering also whether to keep him off school next week and try and help hi
Somehow but don't know how.
Ive been in tears all day it's all too much to cope with.
Not posting and running but need to get my dads dinner and sort their tablets. Will be back as soon as I can

Sorry for rambling

Awww new messages :)) I don't feel like an amazing mum ATM, ds just came down to dinner with woolly gloves on. I knew why of course but just wanted him to tell me. Afraid I got cross and shouted when he wouldn't let me see ended up wrestling the bloody glove off him. His poor hands and wrists all smeared with blood from fresh cuts
feel really bad for shouting at him. Know better than to go up to him now so sent him a text (from downstairs!!) say'i g sorry and that I'm not angry just concerned.
Perhaps he is feeling anxious about the appt tomorrow.
I was worriedthis morning cos he had swimming with school... They only go about half a term per yr so first time in ages. Was worried about any marks he might have had on him that I don't know about from the biting/cutting and worried what the teachers would think. I haven't mentioned any of this to them because well it's a very tiny school and frankly they're a bit odd!!

Olympiceater thank you for sharing your exp of Camhs it's helpful to have some idea of what to expect.
I know it's really stupid but I hope they do t think I'm totally neurotic and wasting their time

bel I know exactly what you mean - if it is a parent being overly worried, then it is nothing serious, which we all want it to be.

Hope tomorrow goes well for you both

Well That's the first appt over with. I stayed with him whilst we chatted to thepsychiatric nurse. He admitted feeling suicidal over several Months andthe things he said concerning food and appearance were enlightening.
He has been told he has all the markings of an eating disorder. He has been referred straight away to the specialist at the hospital, andweare to meet at Camhs every Monday and to go for regular weekly weigh-ins at the doctors. Also he advisedme to collect him from school every lunchtime to make sure he eats. So I guessim going to be fairly busy from now on!
So relieved it's going to be sorted andtheyre taking it seriously but it was heartbreaking listening to it

I know it's not the done thing but (((bel)))

Well done for supporting your DS through this. I am so glad that you are being given the help that he needs.

My friends DD had anorexia - the Drs told them that they thought she was using food as a means of control when there were lots of traumatic things going on in her life that she could not control.

She was given excellent help and is now maintaining a healthy weight and has done for the last year. It was a long process (2.5 years) but the weekly reviews meant that any problems could be quickly addressed. They were quite brutal in telling her that if she fell below a certain weight, or did not gain as per the plan, then she would have to be admitted. Harsh but it did seem to really focus her.

Oh and be kind to yourself, you have been through a really stressful time

Big and unashamed hugs xxx