how can I help my daughter

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2003
how can I help my daughter
1
Thu, 01-01-2004 - 11:40pm
I have a 10 yr. old daughter who is struggling with a distorted body image. This began last summer when I noticed that she was restricting her food intake, because she thought she was too heavy...she's very tall and thin for her age. We began counseling last summer and are still going. She had been on Zoloft for several months and have tapered off over to winter break since she's been improving...with Dr.'s approval. My question is what can I do and say to her to help her the most? She gets frustrated with me when I try to reassure her that she's not heavy... I know I don't understand her thinking, I just wish I knew what to say to help. Any insight? Thanks, Beth
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 01-02-2004 - 8:17am

Hi and welcome!


I am so glad that you are trying to help your daughter. A lot of parents just don't see it or want to deal with it so they just don't get involved.


It is difficult to say what would be helpful with your daughter as most of us are different. I for one love to hear that I am thin -it helps me- and I don't think it would have bothered me as a child. But perhaps the focus shouldn't be on what she looks like, but who she is inside. EDs have to do with emotional issues that we don't want to deal with and sometimes aren't even aware of, so we use food or the lack thereof to avoid them. I am glad she is in counseling because that is the best thing you can do for her. Maye you could keep reassuring her that she is a wonderful and intelligent person. Tell her that she is loved for who she is, not what she looks like, and that you would lover her just as much if she wasn't that thin.


Have you throught about talking to her counselor to see wha he/she recommends? Or perhaps you can be in some of the counseling sessions with her, if you are not already!?


Another thing you can do is go to www.somethingfishy.org. You will find tons of helpful info not just for the person suffering from an ED, but their loved ones also. This link http://www.somethingfishy.org/helping/whatyoucando.php

Love & hugs, Kristina