How commonly do we encounter the following scenario?

A desperately anxious mother at last convinces her GP that she needs to see a paediatrician because her normally growing toddler is eating nothing. The paediatrician wonders why his time is being wasted, and “reassures” the mother that there is nothing to worry about. Needless to say the anxiety persists with, no doubt, damaging consequences. As a profession, we handle these cases poorly. With 30% of preschool children suffering from mild to moderate eating problems, we need a better way to address these issues.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced …