I am reaching out on behalf of a friend.
Her teenage daughter is anorexic and is days/weeksmonths away from hospitalisation.
This has been going on for nearly 2 years and has only come to light recently as daughter was very deceptive and hid it all very well. Mother just assumed she was growing into herself as she is tall until it became obvious it was an unhealthy weight.
The medical system is kind of failing her atm, they wont give her a phycologist or therapist because her Body mass index is below a certain number and her brain isn’t functioning properly. Her body is starting to shut down for example her period hasn’t come for over 1 year, she is fading away, she is irrational and moody and her mothers desperation for her to eat and to be better is possibly causing tension between them even more.
They say anorexia is from wanting or needing control in her life. This being the only aspect she has control over.
Her father pretty much abandoned her when the mother and him split when she was young and has only been intermittently in and out of her life. He has failed to make contact over the last few years and he suffers from depression anxiety etc as well. Her mother has been a single mum and has always provided an active and healthy life for them.
They have given her a script for antipsychotic drugs. She took them for 1 week and was just a wacked out mess so she has stopped taking them.
Daughter just plain refuses to eat her daily requirements and is wasting away.
Any constructive advice or leads appreciated. Is anyone going or been through similar situations? is there anything you can share to help.
Much appreciated.
2 Replies
Amanda Long amazing counselor specialising in eating disorders.
https://www.facebook.com/exchangeconsultancy
http://www.exchangeconsultancy.com.au/
They're right that counselling is useless if she is too physically unwell to have insight/clear cognition. If she won't eat, hospital will be a good thing. She'll be tube fed and observed so that the tube stays in and blood pressure doesn't dangerously drop when going to the toilet etc. If she's at that point, I'd be pushing for hospitalisation. They'll link her in with counselling as soon as it might be effective