Reply to therapy or other guidance re: stopping anorexia in its tracks

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] I also know lots of girls 12-14 are really struggling with self-esteem, self-confidence, hormonal changes, social pressures, etc. All of a sudden, her behavior has taken a turn for the worse. Dad isn't concerned but I'm ready to send her to therapy before this kind of thinking and behavior gets engrained. ANY good recs for appropriate therapist/doctor/etc. in [b]downtown metro DC area[/b][u] would be greatly appreciated. Other parenting advice also appreciated. I have no idea how to handle/respond.[/quote]

This is the treatment for anorexia and you don't actually need a therapist to do it, although they might be able to help you get her to eat.

Feed her.   Make sure she eats.  3 meals and 3 snacks per day.  WATCH HER.  Cancel ALL exercise and sports until she is eating normally again and has gained back any lost weight or is back where she should be on her growth curve.

It doesn't matter that she loves her sport and it is her whole life -- sports are for healthy people and she isn't healthy until she can eat enough to fuel her growth and activities.

The treatment is intensive and exhausting and you have to put your life on hold for a while but the alternative is devastating, and treatment by the family has the highest rate of success.  Anorexia has the highest death rate of any mental illness.  The earlier you can intervene the easier the treatment and the better your child's chance of recovery.
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