So I subtly asked him what he felt about the two Prize Day awards and he said nothing about thinking it's peculiar or anything like that. And when I prompted him on how he felt about that particular award, he said he felt very touched by it and felt grateful to the school for recognising his fight to overcome the anorexia. Good. That put my mind at rest, so it's only me that's unsure how I feel about it. But what he did say was this...
"I know I should be thrilled and elated at getting these awards," he said. "I'd have been gutted if I hadn't got any at all. But the problem is I still feel that numbness. Whenever I should be happy or sad about anything, I just feel, well, completely numb. I know I SHOULD feel happy, sad or whatever, but I just can't feel anything at all. And I know the school is showing me that it really cares about me; I just wish I could feel thrilled about it."
This numbness is classic eating disorder. It happens to so many anorexia sufferers, but it's such a shame that Ben still feels this way, almost three years since he first developed his anorexia.
I suggested that some extra talking therapy might be useful. But he isn't interested.
"I'm sure things will improve once I'm out there doing the things I like with people that like the same things as me," he said. "Like Warhammer, when I go to Uni."
"Well as long as you DO get out there and get involved," I added.
But the good news is that he is actually quite pleased with these awards. Well, as pleased as he can be when he feels so numb.
And the other good news is that he is happy to continue with the new therapy sessions with U, our new dietitian.
Want information on eating disorders in boys? Worried your son has an eating disorder? What are the signs of eating disorders in boys? In 2009 my 15-year-old son developed anorexia. Now aged 31 and with a MSc in Psychology he is recovered & working in mental health using his experiences to help others. I help to raise awareness of eating disorders in boys, point parents to helpful resources & talk about how eating disorders can traumatise families.
I'm glad that Ben is happy with the awards. While I can't guarantee that he will find likeminded people and develop a social life at Uni I can attest from my niece's experience that groups of nice geeky students do exist. R doesn't have an eating disorder and her social anxiety is only mild but she went to Uni a shy and reserved girl and struggled for the first month. She has since met up with fellow Dr Who obsessed students who don't go to all the nightclubs and aren't hell bent on partying every night and is really enjoying life as a student.
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