Getting help
If you think your child is having difficulties with food or eating, it is important to seek help at an early stage, to give them the best chance to sort out the issues before more serious problems such a anorexia or bulimia develop.
Recognising eating problems
It can be hard for parents to know if a young person has an eating problem or disorder. Below are some signs of difficulty which need to be taken seriously:
- Regularly skipping meals and obsessively counting calories
- Eating only low calorie food
- Showing a keen interest in buying or cooking food for others
- Wearing very loose clothes to hide the body
- An obsession with exercise
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
- Disappearing from the table directly after meals (in order to make themselves vomit)
- Saying they are unhappy with their body
- Food missing in large amounts from the kitchen.
Despite these signs, however, many young people may deny they have a problem. They may try to keep it a secret, and find it difficult to accept they need help.
Family and friends can do a lot to support a young person with an eating disorder, particularly by talking to them about their feelings and everyday problems. Young people unwilling to accept help from their parents may find it easier to talk to a teacher at school. They may also be able to refer themselves to a psychotherapist or counsellor. Many areas have specialist youth counselling services.
If necessary, a GP should be able to refer the young person to a mental health professional specialising in this area. Treatment includes dietary control as well as individual and family therapy, aimed at resolving underlying emotional problems.
If the young person has lost a great deal of weight or other help seems not to work, they may need to spend some time in hospital or a special unit, where treatment can be more closely monitored.
Trained advisers at YoungMinds Parents' Helpline can talk over concerns about your child's eating problems.