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
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