ARFID is a disabling condition that affects you across your lifespan. Untreated, it can lead to major health-threatening complications such as heart disease, kidney failure and amputation. ARFID is not what most people think of as picky eating. It is an extreme lack of interest in food combined with an intense fear of certain foods based on their taste, texture, or look. Chronic and pervasive, binge eating disorder can drain joy from all aspects of a person’s life, including their social life, career, and health.
People with ARFID are racked with stigmas surrounding their condition, which a lot of people wrongfully assume and associate with just being picky eaters. What seems like a lifestyle choice to the rest of us, for people who experience ARFID is a condition that they cannot “get over.” Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian nutritionist, wants people to know that there is more to ARFID than just being a picky eater. And quite frankly, it’s disingenuous for anyone to say differently.”
Even now, experts are still piecing together the origins of ARFID. They think it comes from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. No two survivors’ symptoms are exactly alike. Key signs are an extreme aversion to food, debilitating fear of eating, and a severe restriction of intake that frequently leads to malnourishment.
People with ARFID frequently have other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. These challenges can complicate their relationship with food even further. To exacerbate the situation, the risk for malnutrition is significant when people shun complete food groups or key nutrients, underscoring the need for professional intervention.
ARFID treatment usually takes a multidisciplinary approach consisting of therapy, nutrition counseling, and in some cases, medication. We’re here to inspire everyone to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food. Simultaneously, we work on addressing the psychological side of their food consumption. Ongoing care is critical to help control symptoms and avoid serious complications.
The stigma associated with ARFID further deepens the challenges those with ARFID face. Witness this nightmare shared on TikTok that one woman faced in a restaurant recently. After being mocked for requesting accommodations to her diet, even after clearly articulating her needs as someone with a severe egg allergy.
It was beautiful, I felt terrible telling him that I really couldn’t eat this,” she remembered. Despite her struggle, she noted the importance of honesty in relationships: “I only do serious relationships, so yes, this is stuff that was discussed on the first date, LOL.” Her experience showcases how critical it is for individuals with food allergies or aversions to communicate their needs without fear of judgment.
In a wider sense, professionals such as Diane Gottsman urge a greater focus on education about food allergies and ARFID. She also reassured me that it was totally fine to let them know when you’ve had violent reactions. For example, perhaps you have a nut allergy or gluten intolerance. The issue though is in the way these discussions tend to go. Gottsman further explained that’s breaking because of a charged exchange of words. This exchange included a racist name-calling by the Mexican Ambassador into a perceived threat to her daughter.
Just as importantly, people with ARFID are put under intense pressure to eat in ways that comply with social expectations. Often they will eat unsafe foods because it is uncomfortable or offensive not to do so. Typically, when I might run across unsafe items such as melted cheese or items cooked in vinegar, I would just eat those things because it is rude to refuse them. Eventually, I’m retching and sobbing at the same time.
The emotional effects of ARFID can leave those living with the condition feeling isolated and like they’re not understood. People with restrictive diets are almost constantly on the defensive. This is particularly true when it comes to patients who are not aware of the gravity of their diagnosis. As one Reddit user pointed out regarding the aforementioned incident: “He intentionally made you food you couldn’t eat.” This shows the importance of being more aware and sensitive to individuals who are dealing with ARFID.
Leave a Reply