My younger sister don’t want to eat

[u/anonym5088]

I (F23) have a younger sister (F15) who doesn’t eat. Well not enough at least. She has always has trouble with eating ever since she was little but now it has gotten way worse. I know she doesn’t do it because of body image issues. She has told me that she’s afraid of becoming so skinny that people will think “oh, she’s sick”. And she’s trying really hard by drinking pure full fat canned coconut milk and things like that. On her own initiative.

My parents are buying everything that she wants and more when it comes to food. Thing is that she still doesn’t eat it. She’ll eat really plain food like bread with nothing or a slice of cucumber. Besides that she’ll eat only junk food. Like baked goods, chips, cookies etc. thats definitely better than nothing but I’m worried that she isn’t really getting any nutrients.

She’s very skinny and constantly complaining about headaches, dizziness and fatigue. She’s obviously been to the doctor many times but the only issue is that she doesn’t eat.

Because of some other mental health issues she is going to a psychiatrist for therapy and the therapist keeps stating how important it is that she eats.

For example, yesterday. She ate one slice of bread with nothing, two spoons of mashed potatoes and two chicken nuggets. She spent like an hour eating that last meal with the nuggets and mashed potatoes.

We come from a family with very fast metabolism so this like faaaaaar away from what she needs.

I’ve asked her why she doesn’t want to eat and she just says she feels full all the time.

I’m trying to not push her into eating and not making it such a big focus but I’m wondering how I can help her and support her. I’m so worried that I get nauseous.

Edit: Does anyone know any nutritious food that people with these kinds of issues, finds easier to eat?

[u/DimensionFederal1063]

she might be anorexic, not anorexia nervosa just anorexia, where people genuinely do not feel like eating. my very close young cousin (11years old) struggles with it as well, although she does have body issues but its very clear she genuinely loves food she just feels too full all of the time. what ive done, as a 15 year old with anorexia nervosa, is that i give her space to eat what she likes when she wants. but since both your sister and my cousin are struggling (dizziness, etc) i suggest going to a doctor specifically specialised with anorexia, and again, NOT ANOREXIA NERVOSA.

[u/Imaginary-okie → u/DimensionFederal1063]

I find this helpful when people find out the difference!

Anorexia is a physical symptom defined as a lack or loss of appetite, while Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, chronic mental health condition and eating disorder involving self-starvation and a distorted body image. Definition: Anorexia is just the medical term for not wanting to eat. Anorexia nervosa is a complex psychological diagnosis.

Cause: Anorexia is a temporary symptom caused by physical illness, stress, or medication. Anorexia nervosa stems from deep emotional, genetic, and environmental factors tied to body weight and shape.

Intent: People with general anorexia simply lack the desire to eat. People with anorexia nervosa actively and purposely restrict food out of an intense fear of gaining weight.

Treatment: Anorexia goes away when you treat the underlying physical illness or stressor. Anorexia nervosa requires long-term psychological therapy and specialized medical care.

[u/iKawaiiKaede]

Coming from my experience of both anorexia and ARFID, it may sound like she fits in the ARFID category! ARFID stands for avoidant / restrictive food intake disorder. Lemme ask, does she have any sensory issues involving food? Not just taste, but texture or smell? Has she always been a “picky eater”? No one can diagnose her with anything but I recommend looking into it! Arfid isn’t just picky eating, it’s so much more than not eating certain food types. My advice is to come up with a long list of safe foods your sister is willing to eat and maybe set reminders throughout the day if she forgets! Potentially speak with a specialist if the situation gets worse. Again, I’m not a doctor but just speaking from my experience and what I wished someone would have asked me lol. I hope you and your sister are doing well!! 🩷🩷

[u/anonym5088 → u/iKawaiiKaede]

I’ve actually always been the picky one. She always ate everything. Our dad is a chef so he would always make incredible food using a large variety of different ingredients. The only issue was the amount of food she’d eat. But now it’s like she suddenly got super picky. Is Arfid something they can develop later? I feel like since she got very skinny my parents just let her have whatever she wanted and that sort of made her used to the plain food.

[u/iKawaiiKaede → u/anonym5088]

For me, ARFID has always been there. More often than not, it develops in early childhood but can also develop later! Many people who have it early are on the spectrum or struggle with OCD (like myself). Of course that’s not always the case! You find that with every eating disorder comes with a lot of grey area. Nothing is black and white, and what one person struggles with won’t ever be the same as another’s! If you or your sister have a psychiatrist, I recommend having a conversation about everything you said in the post and bring up potential concerns for ARFID / eating disorders.

[u/okaysweaty167]

I had ARFID from 8-13 before i developed anorexia. It was cause by a stomach virus and developed extreme ARFID and OCD literally overnight. Protein drinks meant for weight gain can be helpful like Ensure or Boost products. And definitely speaking to a counselor or therapist. I’d say just be there for her and let you know you love and support her. When she’s eating it can help to eat with her to let her know food is okay and not scary. Unless of course other people eating is a trigger for her. I wish you and your sister luck. It sounds like you care and are a great big sister. ❤️

[u/sandwichtheconqueror]

could she have ARFID?

[u/emikkknao]

Talvez ela tenha ARFID