Anorexia/Eating Disorders/my son dont eat

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/13/2010


Question
I have a 12year old boy and he don't want to eat-every meal is a fight - he tells he never hungry ,I make him eat - he eats breakfast eggs hour !!!! I talk with doctor and he is in the low 5% weight for his age and height- he told me until he gets underweight he cant do nothing - I don't want him to get to the point , printed anorexia symptoms, make him right essays -he still throwing lunch away at school, he is in swimming - swims 2-hours non stop still not hungry!!!!!!! and nobody believes when I tell them, doctor suggest to give him favorite food- there is none-he can eat anything he wants - he newer opens refrigerator is there is protein cocktails i can give or programs anything???????
thank you

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Jolita,

Unfortunately you cannot be your son's therapist or the food police.  You need to get him to a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.  I do believe that he has anorexia.  Writing essays doesn't help -- he can't help it.  He's not a bad boy -- he really can't help it -- so this is the time to bring in the experts!!

Please let me know what happens!!!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700

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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