Son thinks something is in his food

[JamesJessie]

My seven year old recently began having trouble eating for fear that something (a bug) is in his food. He said it started at school when a child told him he was drinking spider eggs in his juice. He will begin to eat and I can see his imagination slowly start to take over. He starts examining his food and begins to panic about eating it. The problem seems to be getting worse-to the point that he will get too "disgusted" to eat at all. Recently, he discovered that meat comes from animals and now refuses to eat meat as well. His anxiety, I fear, will lead to a food phobia. I need some guidance here. We can usually find a food that he feels is "safe" as an alternative, but I am not always with him to help him through his issues. Is this an overactive imagination or something requiring medical intervention? I should note that my son also has distress/anxiety about throwing food away, discipline, and environments that have a lot of echo. Is there a correlation? Help.
JamesJessie


This discussion is related to 2 1/2 year old eye blinking.

[mom079]

Have you tried allowing him to help prepare the food at home ( or watch) so he can see what goes into it and that it is "safe." And if that helps maybe packing a "safe" lunch from home could help for school too.

[concerned202]

first the school should be notified about these issues. children are very mean and if they continue to tell your child these things knowing how he will react  his eating habits will be worsened it is called bullying whether people want to believe it or not. he does need to talk to someone to help him realize these fears that he has. Even the school can help with that or his MD.  He needs help to know its ok to have some fear but not to eating  if it continues he will need medical assistance to be fed.  Its a sad world that we as adults allow our children to be really mean to other kids and some how they know which ones to pick on.  BULLYING IS NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL and kids dont know thats what it is.  please ask for help  inform the school you will not allow it and they will take resposibility to explain the bullying issue. Also find him/her a friend that will stick up for them when needed even at this age it is important they have one special person   dont let this go on any longer for your childs health