anorexia in middle school child

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

I have an 18 year old stepdaughter who has battled anorexia/bullemia for 7 years. It is important for you to ensure she gets help for this. We spent literally thousands of dollars on therapy to no avail. My hubby waited until she was engrained in the issue (waited one year) and it was to late. She just left for college with the eating disorder full blown. Is your dtr overweight or does she think she is?

renerian

cpgrn · Sep 9, 2003

It's one of my kids at school.. I'm a school nurse. We've only known about this since lunch so we are working together to formulate a plan. I have the school counselor and teachers as resources and, as yet, have been unable to contact the parent. I think there are a lot of family problems.

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

Chances could be there are issues the child is facing. I would talk to the parents asap so they can observe as well.

renerian

crissyb · Sep 10, 2003

This will be tough - especially if the parents don't seem interested..Develop an individualized plan - include lunch "buddies" that make sure she's eating, i'd also suggest monitoring use of the br after eating (really tough in the school setting though) - does she have a teacher that she has a good relationship with? Enlist the help of the school counselor. Good luck!

chris

KibbsRNstudent · Jul 4, 2004

I anorexia all my life and when I was in elemenatry school I remember that the school "officials" caught on to me and made me sit inside for recess after lunch everyday while the other kids went out to play. They woudl try to give me sandwhiches and soups and juice. It just embarrassed me and I refused it all. Then one day they called my mom and she walked into the cafeteria (recess time again) with a Mcdonalds lunch and sat down with me to have lunch. I was so embarrassed and ashamed that my mom knew that I did eat the lunch my mom brought just so my mom would not feel bad BUT I started to eat even less and even throw up my food right after I ate. I found a nice spot in the playground to do it and no one was the wiser. It made me so mad taht they did all that. I do not knwo what would have worked but what they did was not it, taht is for sure.

KibbsRNstudent · Jul 4, 2004

I anorexia all my life and when I was in elemenatry school I remember that the school "officials" caught on to me and made me sit inside for recess after lunch everyday while the other kids went out to play. They woudl try to give me sandwhiches and soups and juice. It just embarrassed me and I refused it all. Then one day they called my mom and she walked into the cafeteria (recess time again) with a Mcdonalds lunch and sat down with me to have lunch. I was so embarrassed and ashamed that my mom knew that I did eat the lunch my mom brought just so my mom would not feel bad BUT I started to eat even less and even throw up my food right after I ate. I found a nice spot in the playground to do it and no one was the wiser. It made me so mad taht they did all that. I do not knwo what would have worked but what they did was not it, taht is for sure.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 4, 2004

Counseling is the most important factor. Parent support is also necessary. Any school-driven attempt to "make sure" she eats and doesn't get rid of it is bound to backfire - especially in the absence of counseling. True anorexia is more about control than it is about weight - that's why it doesn't resolve even when the person is dangerously underweight, she has a need for the control. Until those underlying issues are dealt with, she will balk at the intrusion and the problem will get worse.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 4, 2004

Counseling is the most important factor. Parent support is also necessary. Any school-driven attempt to "make sure" she eats and doesn't get rid of it is bound to backfire - especially in the absence of counseling. True anorexia is more about control than it is about weight - that's why it doesn't resolve even when the person is dangerously underweight, she has a need for the control. Until those underlying issues are dealt with, she will balk at the intrusion and the problem will get worse.

Jeanine · Jul 6, 2004

This obsession becomes so addictive, so fast. I've had (2) 7th graders hospitalized this past year with anorexia, many more experimenting with bulimia as well. Just like there are recreational drug users vs. addicts, there are also occasional anorexics/bulimics vs. full blown anorexics/bulimics. You never know who will get hooked! They need a program with a Psychiatrist, therapist, MD, and nutritionist. The year before, our problem was cutting, which almost seems to be the same type of compulsive behavior, just manifested a different way. This is something that neds to be dealt with STAT, before it gets out of control. Once it becomes a problem, it is very resistant to therapy, etc.