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Are we talking about a small child? Like elementary school? If not, I think seeing a psychologist would be a wise first step. If so....well, if this is a young child it doesn't sound like its an eating disorder in the formal sense. Usually, thats intentional and has to do with distorted body image. Small children can be obstinant about food as a way of exhibiting control (getting their way) or because of pickiness but usually when the child gets hungry enough, he/she eats. For the most part, if the child is maintaining their weight and in their expected growth curve, many docs will just wait to see if it works itself out.

That having been said, it does sound like theres something going on. Have you asked for a referral to a specialist-maybe a nutritionist or a gastroenterologist? Have they done swallowing studies to make sure she doesn't have a structural problem or perhaps something like reflux? There are some conditions that can cause kids to not want to eat or to get sick-things like Meckel's diverticulum or more obscure things like metabolic disorders. I think a referral to a GI doc would be a reasonable thing. If they say everything is good, you could always ask for a referral to a child psychologist or a behavioral therapist to see if this is in part behavioral and whether this is something they can recommend to correct the behavior or ameliorate the situation. Hope that helps.

Hey. Coming from someone who struggled with an eating disorder for three years and has since dedicated her life to eating disorder awareness, I am here to help. A lot of children have problems with eating, but there is a difference between being a picky eater and having an eating disorder, which is a mental illness. However, It IS possible to have an eating disorder at such a young age (I actually had a friend who developed her eating disorder at age 3 and went to treatment with me when she was 15. She had it that long.) Go to www.fedupwithed.com for more information about specific eating disorder information concerning your daughter and what to watch for. If you truly do think that she indeed has the mental illness of an eating disorder, then I would consider taking her to therapy until she reaches the age of 7, which she could then enter into the Remuda Ranch treatment program (where I went). It's an incredible program. However, there is a minimum age of 7. I wish you the best! I am so proud of you for being so concerned and not oblivious to a potential problem as serious as this!

not sure the age of your child, but generally, children do not starve. they know when to eat / sleep. adults get the signals mixed wrong. i'd get a general check up and assess height/weight and to determine if this is low , middle, or high percentale in relationship to age/development/culture. if pediasure makes her sick it has to stop. call doctor/nurse and push them/ let them know she's sick from it. i wish your daughter good health.

my son was that way as an infant, it turned out to be refulx and he got medicine to help that, i would take her to a nutritionist or another doctor that will do the tests needed to find out to help her, it's not really and eating disorder, it sounds more like an internal problem

Have you taken her to a psychologist that specializes in eating disorders? Behind her back, I'd also keep track of what she eats. Notice I said behind her back. Anorexia is often a battle of the wills with mom. Keep it to yourself.