So Worried About DD11

[BrandyandBabycham]

I will be making a doctor’s appointment tomorrow but just been in tears over DD11 skipping meals. She’s always been a very fussy eater, partly due to undiagnosed sensory issues I think & partly control, but she’s always previously eaten 3 meals a day & has actually taken some filling. But during lockdown she’s started skipping meals - yesterday she only had tea. I took her to the doctor a week ago as she was complaining of it hurting to eat & drink but she’s refusing to take the Gaviscon equivalent he prescribed. He actually said privately to me that he suspected a lot of her symptoms were due to anxiety. She has said in the recent past that people have told her she’s fat & ugly. It breaks my heart. She will never be skinny but she’s perfectly fine & beautiful if only she’d believe it herself. I worry that she’s trying to diet in an unhealthy way. Has anyone else experienced something similar with their pre teens? I tried to get her to open up tonight & she ended up telling me I was annoying & she was fine, which she clearly isn’t 😢

Anyone there?

I'm so sorry your daughters going through this and I'm really sorry that you feel you can't help. I would recommend maybe looking at some body positive literature with her like Love Your Body by Jessica Sanders (its a picture book but it should be age appropriate). She might be a little young but maybe invite her to a "movie night with mum" watching a documentary about how the bodies we see in magazines and social media are highly photoshopped (don't forget the popcorn and pause if something relevant comes up that you can tell her your own experiences of which might help her open up about her feelings, Straight/Curve is a good one). The other thing to do is continuing to show her a healthy lifestyle - obviously skipping meals isn't the way to go but ask her help you meal plan and prepare healthy meals and go on walks together. Obviously its lockdown so a lot of sports are off the table but maybe see if she wants to try some yoga with you etc which could help with her anxiety. Adolescence is a difficult time and a little bonding time can go a long way at boosting her confidence. It could also be that she does actually have digestive issues in which case you just have to try your best to encourage her to take the gaviscon.

Please feel free to dm me. Your post rings alarm bells to me as the mum of a daughter recovering from an eating disorder.

goawayquickly thank you. Just got in bed shattered but will message you tomorrow

scottishgirl98 thank you too