ocd & food

[ryansmom123]

My 10 year old son has OCD related to food.  He will only eat about 6 different foods and this has gone on for years.  In fact, since going off the bottle at age one, he has refused to drink anything other than water.  We tried cognitive behavioral therapy through a respected university, but it didn't help.  I don't know what to do to help him; I know he wants to be able to eat normally, but he says it is too hard.  When he does manage to try something new, he says he hates it.  He's very sensitive to the texture, as well as taste.  By way of background, he was also diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome several years ago (although this is manageable.)  The food issue, however, is affecting him socially.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ryansmom123]

Thanks for the advice.  I appreciate you writing back.

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is between the 90th - 75th percentile and his height is just below the 50th percentile for his age. He is normal for his age which is good despite his eating issues. Whatever he is eating (the 6 things) is keeping him within a good weight range and height. Engage him in the kitchen. Have him help you with preparation of food and setting the table. Hopefully this will increase his interest in other types of food. Suggest letting him eat what he wants and introduce new foods every few weeks gently. The new foods should be related to the foods he eats so he may accept them. You getting upset over his refusing to eat a different type of food will ‘feed’ into his obsessive behavior. Relax and if he does not want it, do to not make a fuss and let it go. Hoped this helped you.