My baby needs help and I am scared

[justdad]

In need of any help or advice. My baby girl is sixteen and 5'9" and maybe 100-110lbs and depressed, bulimic and anorexic. She is consumed and depressed. I am scared and dont know what to do. Recently changed jobs after ten yrs and without insurence right now. She is starting to get dizzy and ears ring. I tried to talk to her and now she wont talk to me about anything. what do i do?

[art62grammie]

I am 56 and have been a severe Anorexic since 14. I checked myself into treatment six years ago. This was my first time for treatment. I have recovered. It is not an easy battle but it can be done. I feel for you and your daughter. My parents know how you feel. Watching me be ill for 40 plus yrs. I almost died many times during my illness. I know exactly how ill your daughter is. I lived that life for a very long time. You both are in my thoughts. Reach out to me, please. I have very good experience in Anorexia.

[SuZQ154]

You concern and love for your daughter are evident. It is wonderful you are reaching out for help. Have you considered individual or family counseling?

Counseling helps. When I was 8, I started with eating disorders. Not until my thirties did I get professional help. When my 16-year-old daughter became anorexic and then bulimic when I was in my 40's, getting her help as quickly as possible, I believed was imperative Statistics show the longer a person has an eating disorder the harder it is to break and there are hereditary predispositions. She went to a Christian 12-step eating disorder clinic for two months As a 32 year-old now, she is still in recovery.

It was not just her problem. At this clinic, her dad, her brother, and I went there for one week of family counseling. We all learned not to "stuff", healthy communication skills and eating, and forgiveness. Hope this gives you hope!

[joanna21]

Hi , I have just seen your post. My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia just before her 15th birthday. She is now 18 , still in recovery but fighting hard against the ED. So , I am further down the line than you but can still remember what it was like in the beginning & feel your pain . I don't know if you have managedto take her to the Drs yet but that is where our journey started.It wasn't straight forward but I kind of feel from your later post that that is what you are finding out. The resources are woefully scarce .You have to keep fighting for help . It was the hardest thing my husband & I've had to deal with & many tears have been shed. Friend & relatives just don't get it & you are left feeling very very isolated. Our daughter did spend 8 months as an inpatient in a hospital 200 miles away which was very difficult but it was a relief to finally get some help for her & us . I will not go in to all the details now but after those 8 months it was again very difficult but we continued with the menu plan ( and still do now) at home & learned from the hospital how we could support her. I would recommend reading the book Skills based learning- Caring for a loved onewith an Eating Dsorder by Janet Treasure & 2 others . It offers a lot of practical advice . We had to learn how to change our behaviours in order to support our daughter . I am here for you & will try to answer any questions you may have. xx

[joanna21]

Hi sorry I also meant to suggest looking at Beat Website- again there is practical advice & support forums on there xx