By Iman Moshaya
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder is an eating disorder characterised by someone avoiding certain foods and having restricted intake.
Causes and symptoms
The exact cause of ARFID is unknown however, several factors can contribute such as: • Sensory Processing Difficulties
• Past Negative Experiences: if someone had a bad experience with food such as choking, it can lead to having a fear-based avoidance of certain foods.
• Other Conditions: It's more likely for someone to develop ARFID if they already have another disability such as autism or OCD.
Symptoms:
• Lack of interest in food.
• Fear of eating.
• Weight loss.
• Feeling weak.
• Extreme pickiness in food.
• Difficulty chewing food.
• Vomiting or gagging after exposure to certain foods
Treatment:
Exposure therapy can be used to help remove the fear and anxiety attached to certain foods. This therapy incorporates relaxation techniques, mental imagery, exposure to avoided foods, and cognitive-behavioral strategies to address food-related fears and anxieties. Additionally, working with a dietitian can help develop a balanced eating plan. Furthermore, cognitive behavioural therapy can help address underlying psychological factors, such as anxiety or fear, related to food. Lastly, family therapy and involving family members in the treatment process can help the individual feel more understood and supported.
How is it different to other EDs?
People with ARFID don’t typically have poor body image. Unlike anorexia or bulimia where individuals usually have a desire to control their weight.
People with arfid suffer greatly and we need to raise more awareness on this topic.
References:
ARFID Awareness UK. (n.d.). https://www.arfidawarenessuk.org/treatment Walden Behavioral Care. (n.d.). https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/what-we-treat/arfid/
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