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Daughter with Anorexia Nervosa and Aspergers - advice/help needed

Lucycooper1964

My daughter (25) has had severe Anorexia Nervosa for 3 years now and is getting worse( she has a BMI under 13 I think, she won't let me near her weight). She had a very difficult adolescence with no friends, severe social anxiety, panic attacks, hypochondria and many more obsessions. Even though I took her to the Dr on many occasions she was not diagnosed with an ASD (Aspergers and ADHD) until 18 months ago. Although it explains a lot, it has made little difference to her treatment (which consists of 1 therapy session a week - which she doesn't always make and she will only do with me). The only difference seems to be that they are not threatening giving up treatment anymore because she s not engaging and are also no longer threatening inpatient as some Dr has said it will be ineffective which I agree with as the inpatient facilities just do not cater for ASD patients.

My daughter has regular meltdowns, is virtually house bound, constantly and obsessively cleans the house etc etc. her life is barely worth living and as a result nor is mine or my son's.

If anyone has any advice I would be really grateful as we are completely desperate.

Thanks

Parents

  • Hello Lucy,

    Yes, a lot of people with autism have anorexia.

    The main problem here might be that the psychologists and/or psychiatrists treating your daughter are not qualified to treat an autistic person. Ask them what their training and experience is with adults with autism.

    Despite what a lot of the very high functioning autistic people on these forums are able to do, a large number of people with autism (and no learning disability) are unable to benefit from normal CBT or other therapies and need the therapy from somone with a specific interest in autism, and training for providing therapy for adults with autism.

    Tony Attwood (have a look at his website) has talked about this in relation to adolescents, and I think it is very much needed for adults. If the therapist does not understand autism, and unless they have a specific interest they will not have been trained to provide therapy to autistic adults, they will not know the different approach needed.

    Try and research therapists with a specific interest in autism, and consider trying to get to see someone who normally sees children (this might not be possible), because, as an adult female with autism and eating disorders I am very emotionally immature and I know that these therapists might have a better insight into what your daughter needs. Try maybe a University Hospital or find someone with specific interest in autism through research papers. Try BEAT the eating disorders charity maybe.

    I hope your daughter gets the help she needs.

Reply

  • Hello Lucy,

    Yes, a lot of people with autism have anorexia.

    The main problem here might be that the psychologists and/or psychiatrists treating your daughter are not qualified to treat an autistic person. Ask them what their training and experience is with adults with autism.

    Despite what a lot of the very high functioning autistic people on these forums are able to do, a large number of people with autism (and no learning disability) are unable to benefit from normal CBT or other therapies and need the therapy from somone with a specific interest in autism, and training for providing therapy for adults with autism.

    Tony Attwood (have a look at his website) has talked about this in relation to adolescents, and I think it is very much needed for adults. If the therapist does not understand autism, and unless they have a specific interest they will not have been trained to provide therapy to autistic adults, they will not know the different approach needed.

    Try and research therapists with a specific interest in autism, and consider trying to get to see someone who normally sees children (this might not be possible), because, as an adult female with autism and eating disorders I am very emotionally immature and I know that these therapists might have a better insight into what your daughter needs. Try maybe a University Hospital or find someone with specific interest in autism through research papers. Try BEAT the eating disorders charity maybe.

    I hope your daughter gets the help she needs.

Children
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