• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 68 subscribers
  • Views 515 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Support for recently diagnosed ASD (18yrs) also suffering with eating disorder

Daisy

Hi, my daughter (18years) has recently been diagnosed with ASD and we suspect she may have ADHD too. Has also been suffering with anorexia for 3 years. We are now aware there is a strong link between autism and eating disorders. I’m after advice of where to turn for help next. Seem to be lost with little sense of how to find the best and most appropriate treatment for her. We have received camhs eating disorder help and have now transitioned to adult mental health services. It isn’t helpful. My daughter just doesn’t want to engage with FBT or general talking therapy to recover. Says no one understands her and the anorexia remains a constant hold over the way she lives her life. We think understanding her ASD would really help, but we don’t know who to go to for help? She doesn’t want to read a book about it, doesn’t like you tube , or online help, and won’t attend any support groups. One to one therapy is probably the best option but we don’t know who and how to start looking. Any advice would be appreciated. We need to be very careful that whoever she speaks with has an understanding of anorexia and autism. Looking at the NAS directories, BEAT and psychology today directories….. we are going round in circles! Does anyone know which directories are best ? Does anyone here have experience of ED and ASD? 

Parents

  • I expect you've already thought of this but just in case:

    When things feel out of control, or too uncertain, you can look for something you can control instead. Eating and weight is one of these. Taking this away would then be a problem as it is your coping strategy.

    The issue is therefore not the eating but the cause of the worry.

    It might be the the transition to adulthood, relationships, jobs, the future, stress, or if suggestible the perceived pressure over body image. Maybe sometjing has happened she can't tell you about. Shame is a terrible thing.

    Since she did not have eating problems up till 3 years ago I would think it is less likely to be caused by autistic digestive issues, unless more generally related to an increase in stress and pressure.

    I would think sessions with a psychologist would help to uncover what the underlying fear, anxiety, stress etc. issues are that she says people don't understand.

    I'd just Google a few local psychologists and contact them asking if they have experience with ASD. It may require contacting a few. More experienced or senior people are more expensive but a more likely to be aware. Assumes of course you can self-fund this, which means you can move more quickly.

    Whether your daughter will engage is another challenge, but good people somehow get you to open up.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    Thank you for responding and giving your suggestions

Reply Children
No Data