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Question
I have a family member that will only eat a small selection of food. The only foods he will eat is fried chicken, grits, and popcorn. He will only drink orange juice, and will not drink water. He is a teen and I don't think this is normal. Is this an eating disorder?
Dear Jac,
The first thing I would do with your teenager is to take him to a physician for a complete physical including blood work. Let's rule out any kind of medical implications.
I don't know his height and weight or how long he has been eating like this. The one thing I do know is if he's basically healthy, don't nag him about his food. Let him do what he's doing. If this persists, I would take him to a therapist who specializes in eating disorders (go to www.edreferral.com for a referral) and have him assessed. It doesn't sound to me like an eating disorder, but rather disordered eating. Some people, particularly kids, will go through stages for a variety of reasons.
Just have him checked out!
Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
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Answers by Expert:
Jeanne Rust, PhD
Expertise
I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.
Experience
I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.
Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA
Masters in Counseling
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute
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