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NRaleighLiberal

(60,014 posts)
Fri Mar 30, 2012, 10:08 PM Mar 2012

Looking for tactics/experience/advice for parents dealing with an adult child with eating disorder

Before I go into details on this, I am just trying to get a handle on whether there are those here who've dealt with, or are dealing with, an anorexic child. Ours is 26, back living at home, and it is just very, very stressful and difficult for my wife and I to cope with.

thanks.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Looking for tactics/experience/advice for parents dealing with an adult child with eating disorder (Original Post) NRaleighLiberal Mar 2012 OP
No... Neoma Mar 2012 #1
I haven't. EFerrari Mar 2012 #2
i don't fizzgig Apr 2012 #3
only got mopinko Apr 2012 #4
Is she receiving treatment? mzteris Apr 2012 #5
Yes, she went through treatment for a few months when it first surfaced - she was 18. NRaleighLiberal Apr 2012 #6
My son is 22 and began to be anorectic/OCD afflicted at age 10. coffeenap Apr 2012 #7
My oldest daughter grntuscarora Apr 2012 #8
25 year old son with similar situation annabanana Apr 2012 #9
I am amazed by how many young men seem to have this. murielm99 Apr 2012 #10
Wait a minute, how much is a 6' tall person supposed to weigh? TrogL May 2012 #11

Neoma

(10,039 posts)
1. No...
Fri Mar 30, 2012, 10:52 PM
Mar 2012

But I have trouble keeping on weight due to stress.

Put powdered milk in milk/soup/gravy etc. Eat PB&J right before bedtime. Ensure shakes... Steroids generally make you hungry. And thank the universe for Chinese food...

Her stomach is most likely shrunk. When she says she's full, she's probably not joking. Give her small portions and gradually work your way up each day. Make her eat on RED plates, it provokes hunger. Divide 3 meals a day into 5...

That's all I can think of at the moment.

mopinko

(70,103 posts)
4. only got
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 08:12 PM
Apr 2012
and a tiny bit of

came home to a stressed out kid. she had a 3 hour evaluation while we were gone. i was supposed to go along, but she scheduled during our trip. i had to be available by phone. can you say stress?
she get her results on friday, and she is considering letting me come along. information is power. if you can retain it.

your wife should join us.

mzteris

(16,232 posts)
5. Is she receiving treatment?
Sat Apr 7, 2012, 11:08 AM
Apr 2012

Will she? I'm in the "I think it's related to OCD" camp along with probably other issues, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, trauma.

Treatment.

And sneaking protein powder into the stuff she WILL eat.

NRaleighLiberal

(60,014 posts)
6. Yes, she went through treatment for a few months when it first surfaced - she was 18.
Sat Apr 7, 2012, 08:06 PM
Apr 2012

She's been in and out of a few relationships, out of the house, but now back (now 27). She's added addiction to exercize to her issues - she eats, but only certain things, and always exercizes it off. More later....in the middle of something else, but wanted to just get back to you briefly and thank you for your response.

coffeenap

(3,173 posts)
7. My son is 22 and began to be anorectic/OCD afflicted at age 10.
Mon Apr 16, 2012, 02:08 PM
Apr 2012

I don't know if I have any advice, but I would be happy to exchange ideas and feelings about the experience and about our kids. Mine is coping now, but it was a serious struggle during the early years. Let's "talk" privately whenever you feel like it. Hugs! m

grntuscarora

(1,249 posts)
8. My oldest daughter
Thu Apr 19, 2012, 10:29 PM
Apr 2012

was diagnosed as anorexic her senior year in college by the school health clinic, who alerted the Assistant Dean, who alerted her dad and I that she needed to be placed in a residential treatment facility that specialized in eating disorders. Conveniently, there was one near the campus and,incredibly, our insurance covered it. To say we felt confused, scared and helpless is putting it mildly. Being 10 hours away from her didn't help either, although the treatment facility had (what seemed to me) a draconian visitation policy, so we wouldn't have been able to see much of her even if we had been nearby.

We were lucky in so many respects: 1.That the school took my daughter's situation extremely seriously and really insisted she get treatment. 2.My daughter was able to acknowledge she had a life-threatening problem. 3.There was a treatment center near her that was covered by our insurance. 4. The treatment apparently worked and she has been ok since leaving treatment three years ago.

She still has body image issues, and we worry that she might relapse, but so far so good. She found a job she loves and she's really pouring her heart into that. Perhaps she has channeled her issues into her job--- I don't know. Her work has taken her to the other side of the country, so again, her dad and I are worrying and watching from a distance.

I only saw your post today or would have responded much sooner. Best wishes to you and your child. If I can be of any help, feel free to message me.

annabanana

(52,791 posts)
9. 25 year old son with similar situation
Sat Apr 21, 2012, 10:15 PM
Apr 2012

6 ft tall, at one point only weighed 140 lbs. anxiety attacks, bouts of scary depression.."contamination" issues.. some peripheral self mutilation (toenails)

started working with counselors, psychiatrist and Paxil, geodone, klonopin situation improved.

trying to keep him away from self medicating with alcohol.. Good days and bad..

(falls off our insurance in December, his job has NO health benefits.. nervous about THAT)

It is a sad and frightening thing altogether.

murielm99

(30,741 posts)
10. I am amazed by how many young men seem to have this.
Sun Apr 22, 2012, 01:41 AM
Apr 2012

I thought it was primarily a women's affliction.

TrogL

(32,822 posts)
11. Wait a minute, how much is a 6' tall person supposed to weigh?
Thu May 3, 2012, 05:16 PM
May 2012

I consider my "normal" weight to be 127 and was concerned when it got up to 137 in my 30's. The people at the Y said my BMI was too high. Then I got put on an SSRI and ballooned up to 183 and never made it back down (though I haven't been trying).

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