<p>There may be a few lucky readers here who aren’t aware of my Son’s saga. I’ll give you the short version: HS class of 09, very bright, Asperger’s, Executive Function Disorder (which includes virtually no impulse control), went away to small LAC last year. Came home this school year, taking classes at cc, working at a grocery store, seeing a therapist weekly for his EFD.</p>
<p>He has gained so much weight since graduation that people don’t recognize him. He gets no exercise. He has a hiatal hernia and reflux that would greatly improve with weight loss.</p>
<p>We continue to find food and food wrappers hidden under his bed. Entire boxes of chocolates, cookies, donuts, etc. (Easy to get when you work at at grocery store!) He is binge eating pretty much every night, in secret. (Doesn’t purge.)</p>
<p>He doesn’t see his weight as a problem. As a person with Asperger’s, it doesn’t compute that people might discrimintate against the obese. </p>
<p>His weight adversely affects his health, plus food is obviously providing him with comfort…either control, or replacement for friends.</p>
<p>HELP! There is a nearby guys’ only chapter of Overeaters Anonymous, but he is not interested because he doesn’t think he has a problem. If I can’t get him to eat better, I’d at least like to eliminate the lies and secrecy.</p>
<p>I have no idea where to turn…psychologist, expert in eating disorders, nutritionist, spiritual counselor, personal trainer, or MMOB?</p>
<p>Since he works at at grocery store, easy to bring home food. He definitely shops for his own food…that is why it may be a control issue. He always says he paid for the food with his own money. I don’t think I’ve bought a box of Little Debbie cakes in my life…but he doesn.</p>
<p>We have a family gym membership, at a place only a mile or so away. (Anytime Fitness, can go there 24/7.) Plus he could work out for free at school. Won’t.</p>
<p>“Concerta, lexipro, welbrutin,” not the usual culprits, but assuming ( and hoping…and this scenario is as good example as any, why…) these are from a mental health specialist, and not a pcp, how about consulting with the mental health specialist about this?</p>
<p>^So how about starting there? I am sorry the psychiatrist was worthless. If a PCP is going to prescribe all that, he should feel competant with potential mental health issues. And if he is not, he will know when and where to refer. Without knowing the details, someone with a good medical backround would be important to include.</p>
<p>PCP needs to get involved here with weight issues. Has this avenue been explored? PCP may also be able to refer a good Eating Disorders Therapist or Psych he respects and can coordinate with. Now.
missypie, I feel for you. So sorry this is happening. You do not have it easy.
He is a handful. Hopefully, he will connect with someone who will mentor him.</p>
<p>Yes, but PCP is not doing his job for another adult, then.
The big picture, doc, please look at him.
I know you mean you cannot get anything to happen because he is an adult. I feel your pain.
Strange thought, do you know a lawyer who could help you change things so that you can be involved in directing and watching over your son’s health and psychiatric care? I know nothing about this, but I assume that parents must be allowed to stay in lives of adult kids with handicaps and disabilities.
Maybe other CC parents know about this…
How I hate this age of “adultness”- 18-25!! Some of these kids are in need of intervening help. (heck, they allow is to pay for their education and health insurance till they are 25!!!)
Good luck, missypie, hope you get some sleep.</p>
<p>I was thrilled when this guy, who has written a thick book on EFD, had an opening in his schedule. I guess I thought he’d somehow “fix” him. But the therapy is designed to help him live as an adult with his EFD. They have been working on money (spending being another impulse he doesn’t control.) The therapist says he may never be able to control his spending and that he may need to live his life on a “cash only” basis, with parents or wife being the banker.</p>
<p>Don’t know how to translate that into food, but the idea that he may never have impulse control is disturbing.</p>
<p>missypie: I don’t recall where you live; call the nearest hospital and ask them if they know of an eating disorders department at one of the local hospitals…many exist…and i agree that whoever is prescribing his meds should know where the experts in eating disorders are in your neck of the woods…</p>
<p>We don’t need that. The pcp has been H’s doctor for years, so he always calls H to talk about Son (violating all kinds of privacy laws, but I’m not complaining.)</p>
<p>I’m willing to believe he has an eating disorder…but I’m also willing to believe he doesn’t. I’ve never really eaten for comfort, but don’t some people? Is it an eating disorder if a woman sits down and eats a half gallon of ice cream after her boyfriend dumps her? What’s the line between eating because you have no friends and your life sucks and having an eating disorder?</p>
<p>Missypie – you poor thing. I had no idea about your son.
Would he see a social worker? I always thought the theraphy world was made up of psychiatrists (who can prescribe meds) and psychologists (who can’t). But I saw a social worker once for about a year and she was so…perfect for me. Warm, human, a real person with her own kid – it was more like the friend you always hoped would listen to you without needing to talk. And she had really good insights about different ways I could respond to stress (not that that it is his issue) but it might be a good neutral place for him to discuss how he feels, etc. My thoughts are with you.</p>
<p>I think the therapist, the PCP, both knowing him, and already working with him, are good options. The more people you get involved, the more tendancy to go off in unhelpful directions, losing track of the person/personality underneath it all. That’s why a psychiatrist can be so helpful, if you can find one that is not “worhtless”.</p>