An eating disorder is a serious problem, but pressuring a child to eat will not change her behavior, her thinking or her self image. Forcing her can lead to increased tension and guilt, stresses that can exacerbate the problem. It is especially important to avoid power struggles and drama around food. There is no quick fix for a person with an eating disorder. There is evidence to suggest that medication can be enormously helpful, due to a possible neurochemical imbalance in the brain or for the accompanying depression.
Patience is critical.
Although it is frightening to see a child physically compromised, intervention should be carefully planned, at times under medical supervision. Treatment can involve both the child and family over a period of time. Even when a child's weight returns to normal, it takes time for new, healthier behaviors and a realistic self-image to be established. Adolescence, in addition to the individual family and psychological issues, presents a special stress. Entering adolescence is a more complex rite of passage than it has previously been.