need dining help w/ Bulimic teen

I am very sorry you are going through this.

I too would keep trying to make earlier reservations. One way to keep all of you at the same restaurant eating at the same time is to agree to different tables. You may even be able swing reservations for 2 tables 10 minutes apart. When you arrive at the restaurant, explain your desire to sit together. Many times they will try to accommodate you.

I also like the idea of going over the menus before hand. Usually eating disorders are about control as much as body image. This may help her feel she is in control.
 
I haven't read through all the responses, so please forgive me if I'm repeating already offered advice.

I had bulimia as a teen. Bulimics keep very close tabs on calories consumed vs. calories burned, as you said in your OP. I would NOT change your ADRs because of this issue - bulimia is a disease that's rooted in control, and changing things around to accommodate her behavior is only going to empower her (not taking a shot at her here - just speaking from experience - she's not going to feel victorious, but she'll be relieved that she doesn't have to deal with food ..... I hope that makes sense).

I'm thinking your niece (it's your niece, yes?...not that the relationship matters) would greatly benefit from wearing a pedometer every day. If she sees how much walking she's doing, and calculates how many calories she's burning by just doing Disney, she may relax enough to keep her late meals in her belly. It would probably help her if someone in your party also offers to take a before-bed stroll around the resort, too - not that any of you want to do extra walking at the end of the day, but it will help her to know she's not going to just go to sleep on those calories.

I'm very sorry you all are going through this - eating disorders are brutal on everyone involved. Best wishes to all of you!

ETA - I re-read your OP, and realize it is your daughter. My apologies on not getting that straight. Good luck to you!
 
I am also a recovered bulemic and one suggestion I would make is to limit buffets as much as possible even if you keep the late ADRs as she will feel better if portions are controlled. I feel for you and your family. Lori
 
Would it be possible for you to accomidate the "working it off" mentality by assuring her she could swim after you get back to the hotel?

I have no experience with bulima at all, but dealing with human behavior it seems like that would be an acceptable and healthy alternative to offer activities that would help her maintain control in some small (yet not destructive) way, if not swimming then taking a lap around whatever park you are at after dinner.
 

I have a child with eating issues. Not to the extent as what you are going through but we try to just do what ever we would normally do. If we are asked out to dinner we go and just pack food for our DD. We don't turn down invitations just because we know she won't eat. Depending on the time of the meal we either just pack our own food for her or take other things to occupy her (like a coloring book etc) and don't make her eat. This vacation is for everyone so I would try not to cancel everyones meals due to this. I guess you also have the option of just not making her eat the meal if it is likely she will throw up. Will she throw up if you are with her - if not just stay with her for a couple hours after the meal - don't let her go into the bathroom alone.

You said the family is going to therapy so I would ask the therapists opinion.
 
thank you all again for you support and thoughts. I LOVE the idea of the pedometer. I think she'll be shocked at how much walking she does in a day and I'm hoping a lightbulb may go off in her head that she can "afford" to keep her meal down for the night!!
 
ONE THING i WOULD not DO IS FOLLOW HER AROUND AND TO THE BATHROOM EVERYTIME SHE GOES...it will make her feel like she is being punished and in turn make the problem worse...really be very careful on how you treat her,she is a teen with raging hormones anyway.I would not go to buffet dinners.Alot of the time this problem is not cause from weight issues but with other issues and this is how she deals with it (maybe) it is really a control thing.good luck.I delt with this for 12 years and it is very hard for family to understand and deal with...i will say a prayer for you AND your sweet dd.
 
:hug: to you. Bulimia is a horrible terrible thing to have to deal with.

Anyway - I think that these questions are best handled by your daughter's doctor and/or therapist. It is quite possible that they may tell you that it would be best to cancel the trip until things are under control.

Although everyone who has responded on this thread has the best of intentions, some of these ideas, quite honestly...could backfire.

Again, lots of :hug: to you.
 
I recently posted a question in the WISH section here at DIS, about the amount of miles pedometer wearers tracked during a disney trip.

I was shocked to learn that I could find myself doing over 10 miles in a day in each park!

Here's the link to that discussion!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1828917

Hopefully, you'll be able to persuade your daughter (or is it niece?) that she will burn up lots of calories in the parks.

Have fun on your trip!
 
I haven't read the other responses, so forgive me if I repeat.

I have taught a number of kids with eating disorders. I'm no expert, but I certainly have my share of opinions.

Eating disorders are serious and can be life threatening. (Yes, I've known teen girls who did not survive their eating disorders.) So, yes, feel free to inconvenience anyone and everyone to accomodate that young lady.

Speak first to the counselor. She is the expert. Find out whether or not Disney is a good idea at this point in her treatment. Find out when your daughter's meals should be, and follow the advice to the letter. If your daughter needs to eat at a time when you can't get an ADR, then it's counter service.

Could it cost you some money? Sure, especially if you're on the DDP and you're eating mostly counter service.

But the alternative-- treating this as an inconvenience and not a serious medical problem-- could cost you far more than money.

Also, I'm not sure I buy the idea of a pedometer. Doesn't that feed into the idea that she NEEDS to walk off all those calories??? I would most certainly run that by the counselor before getting one.
 
I was bulimic as a teen and into my 20s. My thoughts are with you and your DD as you go through this as a family.

No pedometer, no 'extra' swimming, nothing out of the ordinary to help her 'work off the food'. Normal living is not like that. Helping her to make good food choices is what she needs.

Two or three visits to the counselor may not be enough to get a plan set for DDs eating. I would suggest that you keep a diary of what DD eats so you can share it with the therapist when you return. It will be helpful to know.

Help DD make healthy food choices and eat appropriately within all the food groups. Small meals are optimal (for all of us, really) but if that is not how your family normally eats then don't change it up -- consistency is what is needed.

Do not put any unusual focus on DD at meal time -- no one should 'praise' her for doing so well. She's not a baby being fed table food for the first time. If you are on the DDP don't feel like you have to have her order everything that comes with the plan. She won't eat it any way so why put it in front of her and make her feel bad for not eating. If you are not on DDP and are paying out of pocket the allow her to order a small salad and have a bit of protein from your plate. Either way, do not put a HUGE plate of food in front of her, it's too daunting.

DO NOT, and I'm sorry for the caps but I want you to know I'm serious, let her get hungry. Really, make sure she has plenty to drink. Most likely she'll only drink water and that's fine. But there are plenty of places to get fruit or other healthy snacks. Watch to make sure she is eating from all the food groups. Cravings start when one of the groups is avoided and the brain wants it. Dairy and meat are big ones -- both are seen as high calorie and thus are often avoided. Serving sizes are not usually what is sold (sometimes they are 2 - 3 servings) so you may have to portion out the food. Small quantities are not as daunting.

And since she is 14, and likely still your little girl, you may feel that you should help her choose her food. Unless she is eating only 'junk', then allow her to make her food choices. If she is making poor choices then you should give her 2 or 3 things to choose from. If everyone else gets to choose, then she should be able to do so too. She doesn't want to feel like she is different or that the spotlight is on her.

Your daughter needs you to be her parent not her friend. At 14 I'm sure she wants to be independent but she may be overwhelmed by the freedom. Care for her like she's your little girl. It seems like everyone in your family is on board to help her -- just don't smother her will too much at once. WDW is not the place for her to have 100% independence. It is a family vacation and she is part of the family so she needs to participate just like everyone else. And just b/c other families allow their teens to roam alone doesn't mean you have to allow her to do the same. At the same time you don't want to make her feel imprisoned if she's had free reign in the past.

Just be supportive and encouraging. Make sure she, as well as you and your husband and other kids, are hydrated and nourished throughout the day with healthy snacks. Don't allow yourself or anyone in the family to become famished -- especially DD.

This might be what DD needs to get back in realignment that her family does love her and care about her. If you can do something alone with DD -- that does NOT involve food -- that might be helpful. Or if she has a great relationship with her dad maybe some one on one time so they can reconnect that relationship.

My heartfelt BEST WISHES!
 
Why not keep your reservations as planned and allow her the opportunity to work off the meal on the exercise equipment at the resort?:tigger:
 
What a troubling time for you and your family! I would keep the ADRs and just emphasize to her that all the walking you'll be doing will burn off those calories quick - it might stop her from purging. Keep a close eye on her (if she excuses herself to the restroom, casually say, "Oh, I'll join you."). And most of all, continue to give her the love and understanding you already are. She needs you right now, and it's very cool that you're thinking of her.

:thumbsup2
 
I was bulimic as a teen and into my 20s. My thoughts are with you and your DD as you go through this as a family.

No pedometer, no 'extra' swimming, nothing out of the ordinary to help her 'work off the food'. Normal living is not like that. Helping her to make good food choices is what she needs.

Two or three visits to the counselor may not be enough to get a plan set for DDs eating. I would suggest that you keep a diary of what DD eats so you can share it with the therapist when you return. It will be helpful to know.

Help DD make healthy food choices and eat appropriately within all the food groups. Small meals are optimal (for all of us, really) but if that is not how your family normally eats then don't change it up -- consistency is what is needed.

Do not put any unusual focus on DD at meal time -- no one should 'praise' her for doing so well. She's not a baby being fed table food for the first time. If you are on the DDP don't feel like you have to have her order everything that comes with the plan. She won't eat it any way so why put it in front of her and make her feel bad for not eating. If you are not on DDP and are paying out of pocket the allow her to order a small salad and have a bit of protein from your plate. Either way, do not put a HUGE plate of food in front of her, it's too daunting.

DO NOT, and I'm sorry for the caps but I want you to know I'm serious, let her get hungry. Really, make sure she has plenty to drink. Most likely she'll only drink water and that's fine. But there are plenty of places to get fruit or other healthy snacks. Watch to make sure she is eating from all the food groups. Cravings start when one of the groups is avoided and the brain wants it. Dairy and meat are big ones -- both are seen as high calorie and thus are often avoided. Serving sizes are not usually what is sold (sometimes they are 2 - 3 servings) so you may have to portion out the food. Small quantities are not as daunting.

And since she is 14, and likely still your little girl, you may feel that you should help her choose her food. Unless she is eating only 'junk', then allow her to make her food choices. If she is making poor choices then you should give her 2 or 3 things to choose from. If everyone else gets to choose, then she should be able to do so too. She doesn't want to feel like she is different or that the spotlight is on her.

Your daughter needs you to be her parent not her friend. At 14 I'm sure she wants to be independent but she may be overwhelmed by the freedom. Care for her like she's your little girl. It seems like everyone in your family is on board to help her -- just don't smother her will too much at once. WDW is not the place for her to have 100% independence. It is a family vacation and she is part of the family so she needs to participate just like everyone else. And just b/c other families allow their teens to roam alone doesn't mean you have to allow her to do the same. At the same time you don't want to make her feel imprisoned if she's had free reign in the past.

Just be supportive and encouraging. Make sure she, as well as you and your husband and other kids, are hydrated and nourished throughout the day with healthy snacks. Don't allow yourself or anyone in the family to become famished -- especially DD.

This might be what DD needs to get back in realignment that her family does love her and care about her. If you can do something alone with DD -- that does NOT involve food -- that might be helpful. Or if she has a great relationship with her dad maybe some one on one time so they can reconnect that relationship.

My heartfelt BEST WISHES!

Great post! I use to see a lot of teens and young adult women who were anorexic/bulimic on a daily basis and those who improved were the ones that were counseled in the way you posted.

OP, my best wishes for you and all of your family. This disease is not only effects your DD but has a huge impact on the rest of the family.
 
Hi, I’m really sorry that your daughter (and family) has to deal with this frightening disease.

I am a pediatric RN and often see eating disorder children/teens on our Unit. I don’t often work with them but my advice to you is please talk with your daughter’s therapist and/or doctor before making any final decisions. People generally only associate bulimia with purging, but there are also non-purging methods people with these conditions use to burn off the excess calories they have consumed. One of the major ways I have seen/ heard is from excessive exercise. Some other posters have suggested the idea of using a pedometer/ or an extra swim at night, from what I have learned and witnessed at work, this could be detrimental. She may become obsessed with how many steps she has walked, laps she has swam, ect. She may switch from one method of purging to another. I am no expert but just heartbroken every time I see these poor kids come to our floor. So again please talk with an expert and perhaps look for a message board specifically for eating disorders, many times those people who have been through it can help the most.
 


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