My daughter turns 9 this month. She has been deeply depressed by isolation and changes during COVID. Over the last few months, she started expressing unhappiness with her body image. This past summer, she developed a habit of collecting saliva in her mouth and not swallowing. Her pediatrician suspected it was a medical issue. We went through an endoscopy and a hospital visit, and after we came home from the hospital it became clear that she was deliberately restricting her food intake. I'm awaiting her initial visit with a counselor. Until then, my fear is that she will get too weak and I will have to take her to an emergency room. I'm worried that it is affecting her cognitive function; it's like she's often in a fog. She simply isn't the same girl that she was earlier in the year. I already consider this a crisis situation--at what point does it become an emergency?
Hi amandaleigh, welcome to the forums. We’re very sorry to hear about how what’s been going on with your daughter recently. The following are just some of the signs of a serious problem that demands immediate medical attention:
If she experiences anything above, we highly recommend seeking help from a medical professional as soon as possible. Seek medical help soon on an outpatient basis if she:
If you need assistance finding resources in your area, please feel free to contact the NEDA Helpline at 800.931.2237 M-Th 11am-9pm ET and F 11am-5pm ET. Additionally, you can chat with us online M-Th 9am-9pm ET and F 9am-5pm ET. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and take care.