food - this long - sorry

[Guest guest]

My son is 13 years old and we are having major food issues with him

and was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences. He craves

sugar and bread so badly that he smuggles it and eats it. I find

juice boxes/wrappers/empty containers all over the house. Huge

amounts if it is available. He has tried to get his aides to buy him

soda at school since he doesn't have access. He tries to take cash

from my wallet to buy junk food once he gets to school if we don't

have any here. I have tried to eliminate junk food at home but he

gorges when he goes anywhere else. If I try to have it here and give

him something at lunch and dinner in the hopes it will keep him from

compulsively eating it in between, he just hunts for it in the middle

of the night and eats it all. I understand compulsive behavior but I

don't know how to help him. He reacts very strongly to sugar in his

system - very agitated, moody and as he is getting older is getting

physically aggressive too. When he hasn't binged, he is calm and

sweet and clear eyed. It is such addictive behavior. My heart

breaks for him most of the time because he leads a very lonely life -

middle school is difficult socially, has very little interest in

anything other than his obsessions, no real friends or hobbies. I am

finding that his homelife is now filled with negativity too since I

am feeling very agitated towards him because I don't know what else

to do. He lies about everything he steals and I don't know how to

handle the dishonesty issue anymore either. He is on zoloft for

anxiety and has been for over a year. He has seen a counselor for

years but really doesn't share anything with her so it doesn't really

help. Has anyone else gone through such a challenging behavior

problem? Any experience shared would be greatly appreciated.