PLEASE HELP I think DD8 has some sort of eating disorder

[diannescruffy]

DD8 hardly eats anything and the foods she does eat are limited. She doesn't eat any meat, limited vegies and fruit. The thing that worries me the most is when she does eat certain foods she will often start to gagg and looks like she is chocking so she will go and spit the food out. She also keeps food in her mouth for a long time just chewing and chewing. I always tell her to take a bite, chew then swallow. Sometimes I see her with her mouth so full because she keeps on taking bites and won't swallow. Yesterday it took her half an hour to eat a piece of toast, which doesn't worry me because I'm happy she's eating it but I know it's not normal. I have taken her to our GP who says she will grow out of it but somehow I don't think it's a phase. She won't try anything new only sticks to the foods she knows she can eat and it's mainly the softer in texture foods. Can anyone give me any advice on what I can do to help her or if there is apart from GP another professional that could help her. I often lay awake at night worrying because I know she is not getting the nutrition she needs.

Regards,
Dianne

[shellbell3]

If you are worried maybe get referral to speech pathologist to look into if there is any physical problems with swallowing.

[Eenee]

Maybe you could get her to see a speech pathologist just to make sure there is not something behind her actual swallowing issue just to rule it out.

Also if it is an eating related disoder maybe you could get her to see a dietitian cos most dietitians have experience with eating dosorders.

And then i'd probably get her to talk to a psychologist if the other two things don't help

[Pandora]

Yep Id want to be sure its not something to do with her oesophagus. My cousins DP has problems swallowing lots of foods and for a long time all he would eat was soggy breakfast cereals and jelly.
My mum also has a (different) condition that affects her swallowing and again the types of foods she can eat.

[diannescruffy]

I was thinking about a dietician to help her. Last year I took her to counselling because I thought it may be related to the death of her sibling because it all seemed to start when he was stillborn and she took it really badly but he said she seemed to be ok. He worked with her for a while. Never thought about speech pathology, thanks.

Regards,
Dianne

[Curly]

Any dental problems maybe?

[Sammiejane]

Just want to give you a Must be so worrying for you.
the others have already said what i was going to suggest, so no additional suggestions from me

[Dollyroux]

Once you've ruled out any physical issues with the Speech Path (and they may suggest this too) I would also look at any sensory issues - she may have an issue in regards to different sensations, processing them etc.

Not all Speech Paths have knowledge regarding swallowing issues, especially in peadatrics, so I would ask your GP for a referral to one that has experience in the area. You can also contact Speech Pathology Australia to give you a name that would be good in this area. You will get seen quicker going private then public but it can be exxy - good luck!

[sirenz]

could I suggest to you that perhaps it could be a fear of choking?

I suffered this condition for many years (along with other anxiety) and I would only eat soft foods and foods i was familiar with and I would NEVER eat when I was by myself. I ended up losing weight and got down to 42kg. After seeking help from my dr, I was placed on medication and I have since recovered from this condition.

This seemed to develop for me after my grandfather passed away (I took it pretty hard as he meant alot to me) and as you suggested it seemed to start for your dd after the birth of your angel ds.

Can you get a second opinion or maybe ask your dd if she is scared of choking? It is a very sensitive issue and can be embarrasing to talk about with someone. I know i felt really stupid the first time I mentioned it to the dr.

good luck. Let us know how you go.

[Rosie's Mum]

Hey,

I hope to this makes you feel better, as a child I gagged a lot on my food. To this day my parents think I was pretending but I wasn't. It happened when I didn't like the texture of something; chewy meat, sloppy vegies. It still happens but very rarely. I was a terrible eater, very picky and the thing my parents could never understand was that I didn't get hungry very often. Especially if I was excited or having fun.

Good news, I grew out out of it, I eat everything now! I have a very healthy diet and no food issues. It could be something else but if she's anything like me she's trying to force to food down to make you happy or not get into trouble. And if she's got a mental block that the food is yucky, her body just reacts in a gag reflex.

I really hope that helps, I can imagine how worried you are but maybe she will grow out of it X

[Schmickers]

I agree with speech pathology, and I would get a referral to a good paediatrician (ask around and see if there is anyone near you who is good with children with eating disorders) and get her assessed.

[Lulu]

Awesome advice here!

The only thing I can offer is my own experience - although not exactly the same, I did (and still do) have a problem with different sensations in my mouth.

I can't hack tomato - oh CRAP, it's so wrong. Hard on the outside (to me) and so squishy on the inside...bluuuerrgh. I grow tomatoes and make a killer sauce but can't actually eat them.

It took me till nearly 25 to try to so something about it, and all the while everyone was on my back about being picky, or too skinny or whatever...and that just made it worse because I felt like all eyes were on me everytime I ate.

It might very well be a gagging thing by the looks of it - have you talked to her about exactly what is going on for her? Could you give her a list of things to choose from like -

I'm scared I will choke
It tastes funny (sensations etc) or
It makes me feel.....

I dunno, I'm no expert I hope you get some answers xoxoxo

[Yael]

If you ever travel up here, i can recommend a great paediatrician and paediatric dieitician (they also have childrens psychologist working in the same office) in Camberwell.

[~StarBright~]

I was going to mention the choking thing as well...

When i was about two i ate a shoe buckle.. apparently i thought it was chocolate i didnt choke exactly- but i imagine that it didnt go down easily- and i have (and still am) a shocking eater. I chew and chew and chew and chew bacically until there is nothing there to swallow- i am EXTREAMLY picky with what i eat. I was always the last one at the dinner table and by the time i would get through my dinner it was cold and i wouldnt want to eat it anyway- whatever it was. I have found that i am more of a "grazer' too if that helps. i eat smaller meals, but more of them!

I dont know who you should see- i still havent really "fixed" my problem aside from awareness. i am still not a good eater- but now i at least try.

I hope you are able to get her to eat more soon.

[Sammiejane]

HI Dianne, How are things going with your daughter?

[diannescruffy]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I will be taking DD to our GP this week and I shall go armed with all this information that you all have given me and request a referral. I will definately let you know how we go.

Regards,
Dianne

[amberj]

Hugs and prayers for you and your DD Dianne.

It could well be a phase. Like others here have said, I too was a picky eater as a child- I would chew and chew and chew meat, and I just couldn't swallow it. I grew out of it in due course. The fact that others have related similar experiences seems to indicate its perhaps not as uncommon as it might seem.

It could also be an anxiety thing- a few years ago when I had bad anxiety, I had heaps of trouble eating and swallowing. Is your daughter an anxious kind of personality?

Anyhow, mainly wanted to wish you luck and let you know I'm thinking of you too.

[BabyQ]

Could you give her a list of things to choose from like -

I'm scared I will choke
It tastes funny (sensations etc) or
It makes me feel.....

I dunno, I'm no expert I hope you get some answers xoxoxo

Gave me an idea. It may be easier for her to express what's bothering her if it's written down. You know how sometimes what you want to say is right there in your head but actually SAYING it out loud would just be too much to bear? Or maybe she doesn't know how to verbalize it, and would identify with something if it's already in words for her.

I would get some index cards and write some statements as to how you think she may be feeling...and using some ideas that have been suggested in this forum.

Give her freedom to choose as many or as few as she likes. Try to not make a big deal of the activity cause she might feel pressure. Though it would be ideal for you to be able to stay in the room while she does this (to assess her body language...see if she glances at a particular card many times before she chooses, if she chooses at all), she might be more honest with herself if noone is "waiting" ...(is there a place you can watch from and she won't know you're there?)

Some phrases could include what lulu has already said..

I'm scared I will choke
It tastes funny (sensations etc)
It hurts my mouth
It hurts my throat
The taste reminds me of something I don't like
The smell reminds me of something I don't like
I start worrying when I eat some things
I might get fat
Someone at school would tease me if I ate xxx

..just some ideas..you're in the best position to put your best guesses down on paper for her ...(so she's not faced with a MILLION statements to be overwhelmed with..or get ideas from iykwim...)
GL