My step daughter is anorexic

[melisa239]

My step daughter is 15 years old. In the expand of 2months she dropped around 30 pnds and she looks like an skeleton. She startign by starving herself , then she will over eat and then threw up. Then she stopped eating meat and acting like she will eat and throwing her food out. She is dissapearing and I don't know how to stop her is getting out of control. She is always mad and tries to manipulate everyone. I have try to help her by eating with her I also went vegan because she said that is what she wanted but I know that she is not being truthful. I know that she eats and pukes, she locks herself in the bathroom for endless time. She also tried to commit suicide and I don't know if she does it to get attention or what is the real problem. Can someone give me some guidance.

Thank you

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Your step-daughter needs immediate attention.  Speak to your husband and/or her mother.  You as adults need to step in and get her medicat attention from preferrably an eating disorder professional.  Rapid weight loss can cause severe medical problems.  She is hurting and crying out for help through her acting out behavior.  Connect her with a therapist who specializes in eating disorder.  She may need a treatment program:  full day or even 24/7 inpatient or residential care.  You want to move quickly.  You could visit the bella vita website to learn more about eating disorders and levels of care.  Wishing you all the best.  With joy and gratitude, Dr Patricia Pitts  The Bella Vita  Los Angeles, CA

[shlee1016]

Hello, First I want to say I sure feel for you and your family. I can't imagine the situation you are in. I struggle with an eating disorder myself and know that it was/is so difficult for my family. The first thing I noticed is that she is manipulating and controlling you and your family. That's not good and I would recommend not letting her do that, such as with your own food intake. You can eat what and how you want. Her controlling that is not helping her eating disorder at all, just giving her more control with food, and you all. Does that make sense? In a way, it's enabling, though I know that it is not your intention at all. I know that you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. In your situation, if I didn't know any better from experience, I would have done the same thing.

But where to go from here? Therapy. It sounds to me that she really needs to see a therapist and dietitian at the very least. From there, they can recommend if she needs further treatment. She will probably need to see a medical doctor as well. They might recommend she see a psychiatrist. I would research your area and see if there are therapists and dietitians that specialize in eating disorders and schedule an appointment. If there are other programs in your area that can provide more than just outpatient help such as a day program or IOP program, that might be recommended also.

I am more than happy to talk to you more. Send me a message or write here. I wish you lots of luck.

Ashley