This is a general query really.
I work with a teenager who may have some kind of eating disorder. She recently- today- confided in me about how little she eats and drinks. This is the 2nd time she has told me but today it was more detailed. She is tiny for her age and very thin. Her mum took her to the drs some time ago and he, according to the girl, was not unduly worried, but who knows if that is the whole story. She drinks milk and eats some sweets but has little proper food.
I am wondering whether I need to talk to her mum about what she told me, and if she has told me more than her mum knows.
This is a summary-I think she is eating enough to survive, but puberty is very delayed- she is 13, almost 14 , but looks about 10/11 or younger size-wise.
She explained that she is never hungry and doesn't like the taste/texture of food in her mouth. Today she said was a "good day" and had eaten a tiny breakfast, tiny sandwich and FF/2 chips for dinner. She says she finds it hard to swallow any food/drinks.
I asked her if her mum knows how she is- and she just kind of shrugs.
I don't want to interfere- if not needed. It did cross my mind that this girl might be just talking about it to me to get attention and even exaggerating the situation. On the other hand I wondered if she might be asking for help/confiding in me. I have a good relationship with her and want to help if I can but part of me is thinking "don't go there- it's too complicated."
Any ideas anyone with any experience of this?