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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
8 yr. Old Girl with Weight Gain § Increased Appetite
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
8 yr. Old Girl with Weight Gain § Increased Appetite
by LA Woman, Feb 08, 2001 12:00AM
My 8 yr. old daughter was diagnosed with Whooping Cough in early Aug.2000. This developed into a persistent coughing/vomiting pattern that through medication and much patience & cooperation on her part was finally resolved in January 2001. All things being relative - that was the easy part! As a result of her illness, she has had other problems which she never had before. She had trouble adjusting to Grade 3 with talking and disrupting other classmates, she missed the first 6 wks of school. She had been inside for months & was just starved for interaction. She couldn't participate in physical activity which further hindered her and she had trouble fitting into the already formed "cliques" that had formed in the first weeks of school that she missed. Sorry for the long post, but I think it's necessary to grasp the entire picture. She was also on steroids for 2 months to combat the inflammation and address the cough which was hindering her sleep, activity, school - everything. The sum of all of this is she gained weight because of the steroids, her inactivity due to the coughing spasms, and she now seems to be eating much more than she did prior to her illness - she never had an appetite like this. A girl in her class called her "fatty" last week (ouch!). She was shocked as she doesn't perceive herself as "fat" since she has never had a weight problem prior to the Whooping Cough & it's related effects. I used to worry because she was thin... good grief.
She is a lovely child, an excellent student and socializes well with her classmates and I don't want to see any of this change. I also don't want to make a major issue out of her weight gain, she currently weighs 80 lbs & looks chubby. The social pressures in Grade 3 are incredible compared to Grades 1 & 2. I can't believe the competition, esp. between the girls! I now find myself obsessing about what she's eating but I'm thinking exercise, not "dieting" is the way to go & I'd be happy to exercise with her. To be honest, I'm just so relieved she's finally well again & now we have this problem to deal with. What's the best way to approach this with her? I'm so afraid of creating an eating disorder & want to do this the right way - help! Thanks ; ))
She is a lovely child, an excellent student and socializes well with her classmates and I don't want to see any of this change. I also don't want to make a major issue out of her weight gain, she currently weighs 80 lbs & looks chubby. The social pressures in Grade 3 are incredible compared to Grades 1 & 2. I can't believe the competition, esp. between the girls! I now find myself obsessing about what she's eating but I'm thinking exercise, not "dieting" is the way to go & I'd be happy to exercise with her. To be honest, I'm just so relieved she's finally well again & now we have this problem to deal with. What's the best way to approach this with her? I'm so afraid of creating an eating disorder & want to do this the right way - help! Thanks ; ))
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 10, 2001 12:00AM
, Feb 10, 2001 12:00AM
I am not a child psychiatrist but I believe there is another forum at this site for children issues like this.They may be more helpful.
But in the meantime,I personally like your idea of exercising with your daughter. It is a better idea, especially since it will get her into more competitive fitness even while she is losing weight, and that should help her confidence and return back to where she was before the whooping cough.
It will also be good time for the two of you together while she is feeling estranged from her peer support.
But in the meantime,I personally like your idea of exercising with your daughter. It is a better idea, especially since it will get her into more competitive fitness even while she is losing weight, and that should help her confidence and return back to where she was before the whooping cough.
It will also be good time for the two of you together while she is feeling estranged from her peer support.
Member Comments (2)
by LA Woman, Feb 09, 2001 12:00AM
I believe I may not have chosen the correct forum? I've reposted this under Child Behaviour. Thank you for your excellent work.
