Anorexia/Eating Disorders/My son wont eat!

Advertisement

Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 2/21/2011


Question
Dear Jeanne Rust,
I have a 3 soon to be 4 year old son. Since I began to introduce solids my son has had a problem eating. He would refuse to eat most baby foods and snacks. This problem has stayed consistent. Now almost at the age of 4 he does not eat anything. I mean he will eat a very slim amount of certain foods. For instance, cereal, fruit snacks, yogurt and hot dogs. Although, it's extremely hard to get him to eat any of those! I beg, plead, cry and weep. I am at my wits end and have no where to turn. I have seen gastroenterologist's and dietitians. I have been to my doctors over a dozen times and even switched doctors hoping for better answers. Could this be psychological? I am terrified he is not getting enough nutrition. Please help!

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Heather,

You've had your son to a lot of experts and they have not found anything physiologically wrong either.  I think that a good child psychiatrist or psychologist would be a great idea.

I don't know a lot about eating disorders in children but I think he's much to young to have one!  I do know that the more parents worry and fuss about a child eating more food, the less they eat.  The more of a struggle it becomes for both of you.  I remember that my middle son ate pretty much only what your son eats -- with an emphasis on the hot dogs.  When we went out for dinner, we would ask the restaurants to make a hamburger shaped like a hot dog so he would eat.

I think that if you just ignore it for some time, he'll eventually eat.  He's not going to starve to death.  By all means follow through with the child psychiatrist just to cover your bases -- but just stop trying to get him to eat anything -- leave his food and walk away.  He'll begin to eat if you don't force him -- Keep in touch and let me know what happens!!!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
1-888-520-1700

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.