Emetophobia in 6 year old child

[f1sh]

Hello. I want to ask about experiences/advice on dealing with an eating disorder in a 6 year old. Since having a sick bug over 3 weeks ago, DD has become so scared of vomiting/choking that she is unable to eat solids. She becomes extremely agitated if the food is lumpy, has bits in it, or doesn't taste to her liking. DH was initially strict and suggested she eat food that was served, but she completely refused and dropped weight. As her BMI was found rather low, DD has been referred to the local eating disorder unit (which seems to specialise in teenagers with anorexia and bulimia). I am wondering whether anyone might have any experience /advice treating this. She is on yogurt, milk, juice, soup (of uniform colour and texture) and liquid multivitamins.

Not the same but my autistic ds has a real difficulty with textures the way we've had success is to give them what is safe food so yogurt and then give them something different on the side but no pressure to try it. My ds has just had a bug which has set him back big style but it's just time and no pressure or forcing that can make it more stressful for your dd and yourself

Hi @f1sh
My experience is kind of similar, but not the same. My daughter is 14 and has had emetophobia since she was about 7, caused initially by a turbulent flight where she literally turned green and stopped herself from vomiting-ive seen her do this multiple times, rather than letting herself vomit she will go through hours and hours of trying to stop herself, it's very difficult to watch.It ramped up majorly when she was 10 and a girl vomited in her classroom,her school were amazing and she got a referral to their in school counselling with a charity called Place to Be-she had regular weekly sessions where they helped her to think rationally and to give her coping mechanisms when she's worried about it, or faced with it.This really worked well for a long time, but since starting secondary school its got bad again. if you haven't already I would speak to her school and ask if they have a service like this. Also it's worth school knowing so that she can be quickly removed from a situation where it may make her fear worse if she is around vomiting children. My daughter wasn't able to go into an assembly last year as another student had vomited on the way, her form tutor was aware so she didn't get into trouble for not being where she "should" have been as she can't always explain to people what has happened as she is distressed.
Longer term I think we will have to access additional support as it doesn't look like it's going anywhere,it's taken a long time to get her to even understand that I can feel sick, but it doesn't mean I will actually be sick,but if anyone mentions feeling sick she goes into a huge panic, she also worries if someone else feels unwell that she might catch it,so we have a constant fear of certain situations-flying, people drinking alcohol, coach journeys, being around babies and young children, overeating as well as illness taking hold at school.
Can't offer any other practical help, but sending you and your daughter love as it really can become debilitating,not just for the person affected but also the family around that person