DS (13) feeling sick all the time,not eating much

[keepingmindful]

My DS is a worrier and just turned 13. He has started refusing breakfast and doesn't seem particularly hungry at lunchtime either, he says he feels sick. Could be anxiety or teenage hormones I guess.but worried he is going to faint at school if he keeps this up, he doesn't drink much either. I've tried giving him food he is more likely to eat, like crisps in his lunch box, but does anyone have any tips or wise guidance? He does eat loads of stuff in the evening which is a relief, toast, breadsticks etc.

Deal with the worrying first. My DC have had phases like this when younger and we looked at books with techniques to calm anxieties.

Hmm doesn't sound like an ideal diet so I get why you would be a bit worried. Can he expand a bit on the 'feeling sick' so you can get a better idea of whether he's worried and it's anxiety related or whether he feels sick in the physical sense which
might point toward a physical symptom that needs checking out?

@rainbowninja

Hmm doesn't sound like an ideal diet so I get why you would be a bit worried. Can he expand a bit on the 'feeling sick' so you can get a better idea of whether he's worried and it's anxiety related or whether he feels sick in the physical sense which might point toward a physical symptom that needs checking out?

I don't think he has any physical illness, he has been checked out by the doctor. I remember feeling nauseous in the morning before school when I was a teenager and could only stomach dry toast. Wondered whether it's a common teenage trait? He has been a worrier since little and has been anxious over lockdown but has had counselling and acupuncture which has helped x

My ds is like this. It was especially bad at 13. Didn't eat, feeling nauseous. It was very very tiring. It is better now two years later, but still flares up now and then. I think it is stress, worry anxiety related. Time and patience only things that helped. I feel for you.

@cormorantes

My ds is like this. It was especially bad at 13. Didn't eat, feeling nauseous. It was very very tiring. It is better now two years later, but still flares up now and then. I think it is stress, worry anxiety related. Time and patience only things that helped. I feel for you.

Thank you, feels like it's just me so this is a reassurance. What did you do? Did you just try to get any food into him or maintain that he had to stick to mealtimes and a well balanced diet. He also hates drinking and his wee is brown! I have him brought smoothies which thankfully he does drink but they can't be good on his teeth but whatever it takes x

Hi OP, glad the counselling and acupuncture helped your DS and yes anxiety is an appetite killer isn't it so it totally makes sense. I was an anxious teen too.

Would he do meditation using an app? It's so good for anxiety. Oh and maybe a magnesium supplement? Most people are deficient in magnesium and it's really important for mental health.

Did you find the underlying cause of his anxiety? DS was exactly like this for several years and he could never tell us what he was anxious about. It seemed to be related to school but we weren't sure how, as he was doing ok academically, had lots of nice friends etc. In desperation we had assessed by an Ed Psych and it turns out he has dyslexia.

I always knew deep down there had to be an underlying cause for his anxiety and since we had the diagnosis 2 months ago he hasn't felt sick once.

Hello, I had cancer a couple of years ago and he has younger siblings so he was really anxious about looking after them during that period and of course now a pandemic and multiple stints at home. He really doesn’t seem to like school although he walks there with friends, has had good reports answer does have friends there, but he is terrified of being bullied and of the cool kids and being knifed (basically a worrier - we live in a quiet suburban town)

My 12 year old doesnt eat much either - never eats his packed lunch but will eat dinner then an additional two slices of toast before bed.

He said none of his mates eat lunch either?!

@Remmy123

My 12 year old doesnt eat much either - never eats his packed lunch but will eat dinner then an additional two slices of toast before bed.

He said none of his mates eat lunch either?!

Does he eat breakfast Remmy?

I have a 17yo son who hated school until 6th form and a 15yo dd, and neither ever ate at school after primary. It’s not cool and increases the opportunity for bullying apparently. I gave them breakfast, and breakfast biscuits or similar and made sure they had money for drinks as soon as they got out of school. Basically tried to limit what stressed them as much as possible.

Thanks, I’m resigned to make his eat a bit of dry cereal before school and a lunch he might eat and then let him eat loads in the evening. Wearing though