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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anneL on December 22, 2004, at 22:29:18
Thank you so much for sharing your time and thoughts on the subject of eating disorders. My family has been devastated emotionally and financially by our daughter's eating disorder. Fortunately, we were able to find eating disorder specialists through IAEDP (International Assn of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation). We found out the hard way that this disease must be managed by professionals who have experience and knowledge of eating disorders. My dtr. (17) has stopped all restrictive eating and compulsive exercise and has gained back all her weight plus an additional 20 pounds. She is 5'6" and went from 98 pounds at her lowest weight and now weighs 140 pounds. Although certainly not obese by the BMI charts, she looks heavy and has asked me, "Am I fat?" She binge eats late at night. How can we help without fixating on weight and food? Thank you very much, Anne
Posted by Dr. Beth Steinhauer on December 23, 2004, at 16:26:38
In reply to Elizabeth Steinhauer, MD, posted by anneL on December 22, 2004, at 22:29:18
Dear Anne,
By my calculations, your daughter's current weight is well within normal limits, with a BMI of approximately 23. While I understand your fears that her eating is out of control and she may become too heavy if this continues, it is quite expectable for bingeing and overeating to follow a period of prolonged starvation. It can take some time after weight is restored to a normal level before anorexics re-learn how to eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full. Their usual cues of hunger and satiety have been overridden for so long that they remain distorted. I would try to reassure your daughter that she looks healthy and strong, deemphasize appearance as much as possible, and focus on her accomplishments and strengths. If she is concerned about binge eating late at night, perhaps you could help her structure her evenings so that she is less vulnerable to late-night overeating, e.g. taking the dog for a walk, going to sleep a bit earlier, etc. I'm happy that you've found experienced clinicians to help your daughter. While I agree with you that you don't want to overemphasize a focus on food and weight, it is important for other family members to model healthy eating behaviors, to refrain from dieting or being self-critical re: their own weight or appearance, and to exercise regularly (but not compulsively). There are some good books on the market for parents and family members, including the one I mentioned previously by James Lock and Daniel le Grange.You deserve a great deal of credit for helping your daughter to find the help she needs. Good luck to both of you! ES
Posted by stresser on December 23, 2004, at 20:25:07
In reply to Elizabeth Steinhauer, MD, posted by anneL on December 22, 2004, at 22:29:18
I just read your post and can relate to your struggle with your daughter. My daughter was never anorexic, but did diet and lose weight a couple of years ago. Since then, she has put on weight continually and has developed a binge eating problem. She is also 5'6, but weights around 170. She works out, and has put on muscle in place of fat, and that's a plus...so we are holding steady for now. (she had her body fat taken) Does your daughter excercise? Muscule does weight more than fat, and maybe she doesn't have much fat. When my daughter weighed 140 she looked great, and would love to weight that again. I sometimes think that the darn diet my daughter went on to begin with started this whole thing.....I supported it, like I thought I was supposed to do. I don't know if that was the right thing to do,....looking back now. It seems the more you tell them they need to eat healthy foods, the more they sneak and eat garbage. We have our daughter seeing a Physcologist, and hope that we can get this under control. It does devistate a family, I know, my nerves are in shambles, and it seems to worry me constantly. Feel free to babble mail me if you want to talk more. -L
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