abuse

Im a single mother of 2 Girls.My eldest is 12 and my youngest 5;
Its my 5year old that im concerned about .Abt 18mths ago 2years max,my 5year old went within her self and stopped eating and would only drink sips of milk 1mayb twice a day.in return she be came constipated,and would endure days of agony trying to have bowl movement.My G.P issused laxatives orally.It did the trick but i found that to be an easy option! My Daughter,started eating again in july last year and has been ok,But recently The problem has re occured,Again my G.P has Give laxatives.Im reluctant to the short term answer to the problem and have Suggested to my G.P Health worker & VARIOUS MEMBERS OF MY FAMILEY THAT MY DAUGHTER IS SUFFERING FROM SOME FORM OF eating disored.
my ex husband has two girls from his previous relationship and at the end of 07 my ex started to take r youngest to spend weekend with him and his ex partner,now His PARTNER AGAIN,& there 2girls,and i No for sure now that the youngest of there 2 girls ill treats and is cruel with my youngest..I.E physically mentally and emotionally,
I would like advice and comfirmation has to weather or not this is the UNDERLINEING ISSUE with my daughter;
Recently she has stopped eating and going to the bath room again and im starting to suspect she is being harmed in some way ,or distressed about something .
GP & familey members say my Daughter to young to suffer from eating disorder,But IM A FIRM BELIVER IN CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT AND very intune with their thoughts and feeling process from has early has 12months old .

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Your daughter is young.  Yet eating disorders originate in childhood.  I have seen children as young as 7 or 8 with full fledged eating disorders.  At the younger ages, there is usually high anxiety or moderate to severe depression associated with the eating disorder.  Whether your daughter has an eating disorder or not, there seems to be a lot of dynamics going on in her life.  Seeing a child psychiatrist and/or therapist to evaluate for emotional issues could be helpful.  

Best,
Dr Patricia Pitts, PhD
The Bella Vita
Los Angeles, CA