Your stepdaughter's obsessive relationship with food is obviously not about food. I suggest, however, that you have her examined to rule out any medical reason for her incessant hunger. She may be using food in response to some significant inner torment, perhaps her sadness and confusion about her biological mom's lack of presence in her life. She should definitely be in counseling, not only for her obsessive-compulsive relationship with food, but also for what is causing her to be in such emotional pain. She needs more help than you and her father can give her, and she is sending out these warning signs to show you how much she needs professional help. Please try to help your husband get over his aversion to therapy so that his daughter can get the help she needs. Letting things continue as they are does this little girl a great disservice. Thanks for writing.
Food Obsession
Carleton Kendrick has been in private practice as a family therapist and has worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. He has conducted parenting seminars on topics ranging from how to discipline toddlers to how to stay connected with teenagers. Kendrick has appeared as an expert on national broadcast media such as CBS, Fox Television Network, Cable News Network, CNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. In addition, he's been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, USA Today, Reader's Digest, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and many other publications.
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