ARFID is different from eating disorders that cause people to restrict calories due to fear of gaining weight or because of a distorted body image. Alternatively, people with an eating disorder may have sensory issues or may have experienced a traumatic event that led to food avoidance or restriction.
“I had a gradual growth in my fears,” Diana told BuzzFeed News. “At first it started with a fear of choking on food. Once that fear didn’t come to fruition, it escalated into a fear of anaphylaxis.” [an allergic reaction]. This was for foods I didn’t enjoy or foods I hadn’t tried before. When I did not have an allergic reaction, the fear reached the point of being poisoned. This started as an irrational fear stemming from watching a show where someone was killed by food that I was already afraid of.
Children and adults with ARFID disorder usually have lists of “safe” foods they can eat. Outside of those safe foods, this may happen Avoid eating anything that has specific odorsOr tastes, temperatures, textures, colors, categories or from specific brands.
In a street style interview with TikTok Please don’t tell anyonea segment of the podcast where people are asked to reveal their secrets, one person named Jason shared what it’s like to have an ARFID. “I have a list of maybe 20 to 25 foods that I can eat. Everything else, I get an automatic response. It’s been that way since I was a little kid… I carry a lot of guilt and shame about it.”
The TikTok has gone viral with 3 million views and over 3,000 comments, with many people sharing their own experiences with an eating disorder. “As a fellow ARFID sufferer, thank you for sharing your story and spreading awareness,” one user said.
As more people talk about the condition and raise awareness, it can help reduce the shame that many people feel about having this disorder. As a result of the dietary restrictions imposed on them, people with ARFID suffer Usually does not meet their nutritional needs They may suffer from low weight, nutritional deficiencies, dependence on complementary foods, as well as problems with mental, emotional and cognitive function.
It is not clear exactly how many people suffer from ARFID, but in people with eating disorders, the number is as high as 9% of adults and 22% of children have Meet the standards. on 9% of the world’s population28.8 million Americans, including 28.8 million Americans, will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
We spoke to experts about the different types of ARFID, what causes an eating disorder, symptoms, treatment options, and the psychological impact this condition can have on people who develop it.
There are 3 different types of ARFID
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the manual that mental health professionals use when diagnosing and treating conditions, divides ARFID into three categories:
- Sensory sensitivity
- Lack of interest in eating
- Avoiding food because of a traumatic experience
Sensory sensitivity
One of The most common reasons for escape It is a severe sensitivity to food, including taste, texture, appearance, smell, and more. People with ARFID may think fruits and vegetables are bitter and avoid these foods. As a result, they may rely on highly processed and dense foods, causing significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
For most people with ARFID, food avoidance starts in early childhood — and it’s more than just picky eating, says Subatra Tovar, a clinical psychologist and registered dietitian based in Pasadena, California.
“ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by persistent anxiety about the consequences of eating, including fear of choking and vomiting, along with significant restriction in the amount and variety of food eaten,” Tovar told BuzzFeed News.
For some people with ARFID, like Diana, the texture and taste of food can trigger real fear.
“If there was a texture or taste that I wasn’t expecting, my heart would start racing and I would do anything I could to stop myself from swallowing because if I swallowed, something bad would happen,” Diana said. “I would either spit it out into my napkin or run to the bathroom and spit out whatever was in my mouth. Once that experience happens, the entire food is contaminated and I either have to eat something completely new or I probably won’t eat anything else all day.”
Painful experiences
Food avoidance and restriction may be caused by previous interaction with food. People who have experienced a food-related traumatic event may find that avoiding food can temporarily relieve their anxiety.
“Not all individuals with ARFID start out as picky eaters,” said Kim Anderson, executive director of the Baltimore-based Eating Recovery Center. “Sometimes, an adverse experience with a food such as choking, vomiting, digestive discomfort, or an allergic reaction creates a fear of certain foods or even eating in general, which can lead to the development of ARFID as well.”
People with ARFID may generalize which type of food is associated with the traumatic experience, avoiding entire food groups, or in severe cases, all solid foods.
Lack of interest
Some people with ARFID She finds eating a chore. Unlike people with eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, Tovar emphasizes that the lack of interest in people with ARFID is not based on poor body image, body dysmorphia, or fear of gaining weight.
“ARFID is not associated with binge behaviors common in binge eating disorder or with behaviors associated with bulimia nervosa such as vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, or excessive exercise to compensate for the binge,” Tovar said.
People with ARFID usually do not enjoy eating and may sometimes force themselves to eat due to concerns about malnutrition.
Diana said: “There is usually a general lack of interest in eating in general, not because you are not hungry but because there is a general fear of the possible consequences of eating.” You start by inspecting the food to make sure it is exactly what you want and looks like you expect. When you try it, you analyze the taste and texture.
“If the sensation doesn’t match the feel of the mouth, panic will follow, and I’ll likely spit out my food and lose my appetite,” she told BuzzFeed News.
ARVID symptoms
ARFID can lead to vitamin deficiencies, amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods), irregular heartbeat, and low blood potassium levels. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, cold intolerance, dry skin, and hair loss.
Symptoms of ARFID can appear Imitation of other termsTherefore, doctors need to rule out disorders such as celiac disease, Irritable bowel syndromeOr hyperthyroidism or type 1 diabetes.
“Because ARFID is often mistakenly viewed as a disease that affects children, many adults go undiagnosed and untreated,” Anderson said. “Although research in adults is limited, we know that their symptoms can be just as serious as younger patients and that available treatments can be effective.”
In addition, symptoms of ARFID can look different in children and adults.
Some common signs and symptoms of ARFID in children include refusal to try new foods, fear of choking, vomiting, nausea, and/or a dislike of certain textures, Tovar said. In adults, signs and symptoms may include fear of certain foods, inability or reluctance to eat in front of others, difficulty eating in social or unfamiliar settings, and lack of interest in food.
In addition, People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorderIt may be autism spectrum conditions, or anxiety disorders More susceptible to developing ARFID. Children are also more susceptible to other psychological disorders.
People who avoid meat and animal products can suffer from a deficiency of vitamin B12, an important nutrient Maintains healthy blood and nerve cells It is only found in animal products such as meat, cheese, eggs and milk. Those who avoid fruits and vegetables could be deficient in vitamin C, a nutrient Helps protect the cell from damage It keeps us active.
Arvid treatment options
Anderson told BuzzFeed News that ARFID typically requires a combination of medical, nutritional and psychological interventions as a result of poor nutrition and weight loss.
“In severe cases, hospitalization or residential treatment may be warranted,” Anderson said. “Once patients are stabilized, they will engage in psychotherapy using evidence-based cognitive and behavioral strategies to increase the variety and volume of foods, gain weight as needed, and address associated anxiety or other difficulties.”
Diana managed her ARFID condition by finding a specialist who would guide her through exposure therapy and trying fear foods.
“I also recommend people keep track of their progress,” Diana said. “Stuggling with each new food will be daunting and no mental progress will be made, but proving yourself with the number of other foods you’ve overcome will be a positive reminder that you can do it.”
The condition is also a good reminder to Never comment on people’s bodieseven if you think it’s a compliment.
“Many patients diagnosed with ARFID are very distressed by their low weight,” Anderson told BuzzFeed News. “They often express satisfaction and pride in gaining weight as they progress through treatment.”
Jason, the person featured in the TikTok video, shared more details about his experience on the podcast episode. He said it was difficult to talk about ARFID, and then felt even more nervous after it went viral. However, when he finally looked at some of the comments, he realized that sharing his experience was helpful to others.
“I thought it would be good to talk about it. I can really relate to people who feel isolated, and feel a lot of distress about it,” Jason said on the podcast. “I know that exact feeling, and I knew when I found out that there was a name for it, and I found out that “It wasn’t just me, how big it was for me.”