Question Title: Eating Disorder?

I am really glad to see this website finally in place! Do you guys deal with eating disorder questions? I have a teenage son who is quite obese. He also has a learning disability (math-related) and ADD (no hyperactivity and no medication at this time). I feel that he has an eating disorder, but, of course, it's the opposite of anorexia or bulimia. The pediatrician over the years has just said, wait til he hits a growth spurt-now we are looking at trying to reduce his food intake and make him lose weight. Food is VERY important to him emotionally. I try to help him make informed choices but when I try to explain why he should wait 5 minutes for dinner and not eat a jelly sandwich right now, he explodes. I guess what gets me, too, is that sometimes he doesn't even remember that he has already eaten, and he always wants to eat. He frequently says he's still hungry after he eats as if he's going to die. I try to remind him that it takes 20 minutes for the brain and stomach to communicate. However, I sometimes feel he's not "in touch" with his own stomach. He wants to eat even when his stomach hurts, as it has the past week due to a virus. The normal person wouldn't want to, I wouldn't think. We did go a few times to a psychologist, but it was not real helpful. What kind of therapy could be done and is there a special kind of therapist for this. I hesitate sometimes, because with the ADD/LD, he already feels like there's something wrong with him. Thanks

---

Dear Anne,

There are many disorders which cause over-eating, which can lead to obesity. You did not state your son's weight, or if his uncontrollable eating is associated with recurrent compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, repeated laxative or diuretic use, or excessive exercise. If this should be the case, a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa is likely.

Over-eating may also be seen in medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, and in rare syndromes such as Kluver-Bucy syndrome and Kleine-Levin syndrome, to name a few.

The good news is that eating disorders can be successfully treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and medications.

I hope you find this information helpful. It is provided for general medical educational purposes only, and should not replace consultation with a doctor for diagnostic and treatment options. Henry Ford Behavioral Services provides confidential evaluation, available by calling (313) 874-6680 for an appointment.

Keywords: obesity, bulimia, hypothyroidism, cognitive-behavioral therapy, Kluver-Bucy syndrome, Kleine-Levin syndrome

---