Very scared my daughter is anorexic?

Question

I've noticed over the past few weeks my daughter has been eating less and less as time goes by. She is exercising increasingly and she is losing more weight than I am comfortable with. On average she eats an apple for breakfast although she often doesn't finish it, nothing throughout the day (she doesn't think I know) and a few bites of the evening meal. I've tried getting her to eat but she just takes it to her room and throws it away or says she'll eat it later. She's 16, always been a healthy eater and loved her food, that's why it's such a shock to see her so disgusted by it.

I tried talking to her, asking her what was going on and letting her know I'm there for her, but she simply pushed me away and ran to her bedroom crying. It's really getting to me; I've tried so hard to get her out of this, but nothing seems to help. Mothers, what can I do to help my daughter? I am convinced she is anorexic. I want to take her to the doctors, but she isn't in the 15th percentile yet so I'm scared they would turn us away. Any advice?

Answer 1

go to ur local doctor n talk 2 him.

Answer 2

Talk to the doctor. If this is just the beginning it will be much easier to help her.  The longer this goes on the worse it will be on her over-all health.  She may not be the 15th percentile but if you have a doctor that knows her and you trust then they should be able to help.  Often times you teen may be more receptive to the words of another adult outside the family.  If you she is concerned about weight then perhaps the doctor can help her in a more realistic way.

Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 3

i agree with violet

trust your instincts

she might want to tell you but it might be difficult for her because she knows it will break your heart.  maybe getting a third party involved would be the best because then she can talk to a counselor or somebody.  

remind her that you love her and that you are there for her and that you are not judging her you are just concerned for her and you want to help her.  let her know that you are willing to wait and that if she doesn't want to talk that she can write it out.  

Don't force her or ask every day or bother her or keep on about it because that can be just as bad.

as much as it is an eating disorder it is a mental condition.  

I'd seek professional help.

blessings.

Answer 4

Trust your instincts.  If you are worried about your daughter, there is probably a reason.  Her behavior does sound like it's symptomatic of either an eating disorder or a physical condition that is taking away her appetite. I don't want to scare you, but my 16 year old daughter behaved this way early in her pregnancy, which she hid from me for several months. I guess she was either nauseated or trying to avoid gaining weight. It that a possibility?  

No matter what, it would be best to see a doctor if you can get her to go. I  can't believe a doctor would refuse to see her because she is above the 15th percentile in weight. A sudden change in eating habits could be symptomatic of a lot of different things.  Good luck.  You are a very good and supportive mother.  

Answer 5

well i am definitely not a mother (i am only 14) but here's my take on it:

last year i noticed my friend was eating strangely. she began to eat less and less and eventually she didnt eat anything at all for a few days, and then she would eat a cup of yogurt or an apple. she started exerciing in all of her free time. i let the counselor know what was going on and he notified her parents. it turns out that she did in fact have anorexia. she got the treatment she needed and is doing better and better everyday. when i asked her what had provoked this whole thing and she replied that "there were some guys who were calling me fat."

i agree that your daughter is anorexic. you may want to try asking your daughter about her school life. there is usually some kind of reason associated with their peers that provoke the sudden exercise and eating habits. i do think that you daughter needs to see a doctor. she has had some pretty unusual eating habits and the sudden exercise should also be a hint that something is not right. i suggest taking her to a doctor as soon as possible. and, quite honestly, i have never head of a doctor turning a patient away because they were not in the right percentile. if she is not eating regularly, and exercising more frequently, and on top of that is losing more and more weight, i think a doctor would look at that rather than looking at the percentile. i would also suggest getting your daughter a couselor to help during the process. it would definitely help with the emotional stress.

i hope that everything works out. and i hope that i have helped you. i wish your daughter the best of luck and i hope that she becomes healthy again soon.

Answer 6

Mam, I think your daughter might anorexic, but I think there's more to it than just that!From  what  I read from you, in your description of what's happening with her, there may been something said to her at school, or with friends she hangs around with! It very well may be, someone has made a comment about her weight, and she trying to herself down to that ideal weight(that someone has said she needs to be at), however we know her ideal weight is just about what she is now! Ask her mam, if someone has said something to her about either her weight/or what they think she would weigh, because it sounds to be she is blaming herself for something? and not eating is how she thinks it will work out, the that won't be outcome your daughter is expecting, she may very well end up in the hospital, under-nourished,ask her friends she hangs  out with! See, if you can get anything out of them, tell how worried you are.And please tell your daughter for me if you would(from granny 5), that she looks beautiful, no matter what! And God made her just the way she is now,and please not starve herself, because it will only cause her harm)! Thank you, I am a mother of 4 children, 1 girl, 3 boys!Try taking her out to eat where you know(she liked to eat) before!

Answer 7

Call your doctor. They probably aren't going to WAIT until it happens. They will refer her to someone.

Answer 8

She can still see a counsellor without a formal diagnosis. Chances are that she has developed an eating disorder, although for it to be labelled 'anorexia nervosa' she has to meet certain 'requirements'. Doctors might label her ED NOS - either way it's just a label but it will mean more to her than to you.

The one thing that is certain, is that if it IS an eating disorder, time without support is time for it to get worse. The earlier help is sought, the better the chances of lasting recovery.

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