I wish there was more information about ARFID in adults. Everything I look up seems to be aimed at children and it’s kind of frustrating. This is a good talk though.
@@wmarch88 I hope you find the inner strength to overcome. Please find a doctor who can get you the right ED therapist. We have a 15 yr old who is dealing with this issue, too. We are in the early stages of discovery of his undiagnosed ED. Be well.
i always thought my little sister was just a picky eater but today I saw her crying because there was nothing /for her/ to eat. she said it happens sometimes when she's hungry, I asked her to eat something only to be met with "I don't have an appetite", she had just told me seconds ago she was crying because she was hungry. she refused to eat even her favourites when i offered to pay for them and has only eaten watermelon all day long. I've seen her cry numerous times before but this was different from when our dad scolded her or when she couldn't play games on a phone. i suddenly remembered about the kid who only ate fries whom I had heard about previously. i really feel like she might have this disorder. she's had anaemia for a long time and it has been characterised to picky eating until now. i even feel guilty because I've shamed her so many times for only ever eating pizza or never anything healthy and now she's refusing even that. and almost everyone in our house has done that for one thing or another. hopefully I can convince our father to let her see a therapist and he doesn't tone it down to me being overdramatic. honestly, though, I wish I am.
I can relate to you sister, i know that i need to eat and often even want to but when it comes to actually eating the food, it can be quite disgusting to swallow as if my bodys rejecting it. Some days i can eat just fine but most of the time its not appealing at all
Definitely try to convince him to let her see a therapist, and maybe consider giving her a multivitamin pill. Multivitamin gummies don't have the correct daily amounts of different vitamins simply because you (they) cannot ensure anything that's inside a gummie. Haha
Wow I relate so so much to your sister. Actually right now I’m very hungry but there is nothing that could make me eat and it is so frustrating you can only cry. I am 25, it’s not going away with out... well I don’t know but therapy while she’s younger will help her not have to worry about it as much an adult as I am doing right now. Maybe my experience can give your dad perspective.
Just learning about this disorder and it is explaining my entire life. I am 23 and definitely have the sensory type. Thank you for your valuable research and hard work! Looking foreword to developments in treatment but the diagnosis is really comforting.
I’ve had times I’ve broken down crying on the kitchen floor because I’m so hungry but even my favourites make me want to puke. It’s gotten extremely badly lately.. I’ve lost 15kg in the last two months.. the only way I’ve been eating is by blending food and chugging it. Living with this disorder is miserable.
I wouldn't be able to drink the blended food. Texture is a HUGE thing for me, also foods touching. There are "legal" and "not legal" Cooked hamburger and cheese are LEGAL. Corn and cheese are NOT LEGAL.. I HATED Thanksgiving when my mother fixed my plate with everything piled on. I hate cranberries. She always plopped it on my plate. It would run into my potatoes and turkey. I would refuse to eat the bit of pink potatoes the cranberries had oozed into. Or the bits of turkey that had touched the cranberries. Going to restaurants are a stressful night mare for me. I hate rice, pasta., legumes, fish, seafood (basically anything that ever lived in water). When meeting friends for lunch or dinner I peruse the menu online so I can find something I like and enjoy. THEN there is the whole issue of concentrating on my plate so that I can avoid seeing anyone else eat because is disgusts me. I don't want anyone to notice me carefully separating the food on my plate to avoid the touching. I am 52. It seems to get worse instead of batter.
Goodluck glad to see u r going to get treatment.. Eating is not a crime.!!! I hope u get better and have a really happy eating disorder arfid FREE life and a long prosperous one. Best wishes always. Gloria Blackett 🎉 Australia 🇦🇺
When I was 19, I foolishly trained myself to lose interest in food for reasons of convenience, not realizing how much I was hurting myself psychologically and physiologically. Now I am 26, and I believe that I could be diagnosed with ARFID. Because I caused this issue in the first place, I believe I may be able to reverse it. I have made tremendous progress and feel like I'm on the verge of normal again, with only some disappointing speed-bumps here and there. I know it can be hard working through it when nobody understands you or can relate to you, and so I am here for support if anybody wants to talk.
How have you been able to overcome this? I really need help, I live alone in a new country and I'm scared that I might die from starvation from not being interested in eating anything and I'm crying for help. Please and thank you.
@@ZeroDayPrince I had already lost weight when I started to realize that I had a big issue. I initially tried to get my weight back by eating larger portions, but that never worked because it only made me like food even less, and then my problem only got worse.... I never felt hungry, or I would only feel hungry right after eating, and I didn't like the idea of forcing myself to eat. But I discovered one simple thing that switched things around. I started eating breakfast at the same time each morning, before 8am. If I had at least something in the morning before it was too late, something like oatmeal or a couple eggs, then I would feel hungry by lunch-time, and hungry again come dinnertime. On days that I didn't eat breakfast, or ate something later in the morning, I never felt hungry the entire day. That's what I've been doing for a few months now, is eating at least a bowl of oatmeal every morning before 8am, and then eating lunch and dinner at the same time every day. Whenever I do that, for the rest of the day I actually have a desire to eat and I feel the sensation of hunger. The transition didn't happen instantly, but it took a few weeks of eating regular early breakfasts like that before I noticed there was a difference in my attitude toward food. If you try that and don't notice a change even after doing it for a while, I'm sure there is some other simple thing that you can try which will give you interest in food. Just keep trying and exploring, there is a way to trick your body into getting hungry. Blessings, and I wish you the best! I hope it is somehow possible that I can hear how you do in the future.
Thanks for posting this. I'm almost 50 yrs old and have had the sensory version of this my whole life; it's nice to be able to put a name to it. I wonder if my social anxiety disorder is related (I've had that my whole life as well). I can't imagine living any other way. I can't fathom that any 'cure' for my issue could ever be found. You would have to change 'me' so much, in order to change 'HOW I PERCEIVE' the smells the tastes and the textures. So many foods are equivalent to me to vomit, feces, & roadkill. How could I ever be changed to view them differently? Would I even be me any more? Scary to think about.
using pressure to force a child to eat is borderline abuse. I was this child and i had this happen me, i didn't give in, ever and being told to eat things i knew i didn't like was extremely stressful. I am now a healthy adult that still has a lot of foods i won't eat but i do try things, which only started AFTER people stopped trying to force shit on me.
I have this, and I'm 66 years old and have done fine in life. Fortunately, my situation was not so severe that I was ever malnourished, but it's often been socially difficult. I long since became open about it and will tell people there are things I can't eat, nor will I get pushed into "trying" something, or gong to a restaurant that serves food I know I can't deal with.
I think I may have a light version of the sensory sensitivities. For as long as I can remember, the textures of some foods have been SO appaling to me. Just looking at the texture of (especially strawberries) fruit makes me feel sick and I dont eat it which always lands me exessive criticism because people dont understand. I know it's not healthy, I feel bad enough. I get so uncomfortable when people ask me about foods I dont eat. It's been so embarassing, shameful and stressful all my life in social situations. I decided to make a change because I was eating basically only processed carbs (pasta, rice, potatoes) and I knew I had to change, but it's been hard! F.ex. I tried getting over the texture of broccolli heads (and I had to kinda prepare for putting it in my mouth for a while beforehand) recently (the first time I've been able to try a really big issue food) and it wasnt that bad, I forced myself through a small portion. But only a few hours after I started thinking of the texture on my tongue and became really disgusted with having that in my belly. I still hate thinking about the fact that I ate it and havent had it since.
I really feel you especially the strawberry part. I just can’t get over the weird texture it’s even worse in yogurt with little pieces of strawberries. And I only found out today that there actually is a name for this. I only really eat about 5 fruits and everytime I am presented with new food I get anxious because of the texture . I remember when I used to force myself to eat it because my mom wouldn’t allow to let me get away with it and everytime I just wanted to throw up or just spit it out. And I especially hate the social situations which involve food because I always have to know what kind of food there is going to be in order to prepare myself.
Our 15 yr old son will probably be diagnosed with this on his next doctor visit. I’m glad I found this beforehand. I feel for all of you with this ED. I can’t imagine the hell it must be. Please find a doctor who knows what you are going through so the doctor can find you an ED therapist who understands your plight. Show this video to your family members so they can be more understanding. Until I saw this, I was on my son about eating and gaining weight since he hasn’t gained a pound in 3 years and we were finding uneaten food stashed in his room in drawers and bins.😔 Now, I will show him this video and ask him if he feels the same about food, whether it be a texture, taste, smell issue. I will definitely be more understanding. I had no idea. His first counselor thought he had high functioning autism but was diagnosed with anxiety at an early age by Univ. of Chicago. He will probably have to be reevaluated by an ED psychologist. There might be more going on than was previously diagnosed. Diagnoses might not always be correct. Be well all, and please get the help you need.
I tried the techniques described for my son. He is 9 now and we have had this issue for probably 7-8 years...nothing works despite the fact that we eat very healthy, family meals. I explained to him that this is a disease, he described it like his mind is playing tricks on him (he listened to some of this video) and the fact that if we don’t succed he will need to go to treatment. I tried the technique that they described with Allison - identified one food, ours was beets, gave him a slice and stayed by him saying to take a bite...and being supportive and explaining him that gagging sensation etc. was all his mind and the disease, and encouraging them we can beat the disease and we won’t have to go to a hospital. This is our first night and I hope it continues this way,...he was happy in the end saying that he likes it. He has not had another vegetable besides tomatoes in probably 6-7 years...I am so encouraged to keep going and he felt victorious as well.
I wonder if I could have this. Ever since I was weaned, there were certain foods I would NOT touch and I would starve myself for days if nothing else was offered. I also knew a lady who had an autistic child who would often have to be hospitalized for malnutrition because he refused anything.
I'm pretty sure this is my 19 month old son. He's never been interested in food. Only will eat 5-6 items. Gags with foods, refuses anything new - screaming, etc. It's really stressful and frustrating.
My son did what I call “the big switch” around this age, try to get help asap. Mine is 7 and it’s only gotten worse. We’re in the process of seeking professional help.
I'd say this disorder started during my high school depression phase, I got through the melancholy and insomnia but my eating habits were never the same again😕
This describes my Daughter and one of her cousins sooo much!!! I have always called it “food aversions” but it’s getting worse and it started in the high chair very very early on!
This does not seem like a typical ARFID case. From what I read a majority of people with ARFID would rather starve than eat whatever it is you are trying to force them to eat. What they are describing sounds very traumatic for the child.
I’m 31, I only eat yellow crispy foods. I don’t care about My appearance, I’m fully aware the damage was of my diet. I’m obsessed with food, price of food in different countries, down to cuts of steak. Organic foods. I believe I will die never having eaten a Sunday dinner, never eating a burger kebab pizza fish vegetables fruit. Down to the point. Where I don’t even eat chocolate or sweets. I only have ever eaten cheese on toast, chips, crisps, garlic bread, fried chicken. Before people try and tell me the problems that my diet alone could cause. I’m 31 and have spent more hours than you have m/s thinking about the problems you comprehend.
I'm not sure about the third person and the techniques she is encouraging. ARFID often has anxiety and/or panic disorders at its core. Imagine using those demanding and pressuring techniques on a kid who is already struggling. How terrible.
I finally understand I’m 59 years old. Always been a picky eater. I don’t know if it’s picky but I only have some selective food that I eat. I’m embarrassed to go out to eat because I have to explain to my friends and coworker as a child was very thin I lived in Europe. I was on b12 vitamin shots and iron shots cause I buy vitamin deficiency I was anemic child As adult very health still have the same eating disorder. I still eat the same thing I don’t eat meat I never had a hotdog or steak or cheese but I do like yogurt I do like milk I don’t eat eggs I do like vegetables and of course bread my pasta is only white with no butter. It’s actually nice to find out that I have arfid
Thank you for posting this. I'm 27 and am pretty sure I have the sensory type. I've never liked milk because of the smell and something about the taste just makes me feel like there's a lump in my throat and I can't swallow it. Something about the consistency of sauce stresses me out. Vegetables always end up either being too hard that I feel like I can't eat it or too soft that it falls into my mental "sauce" category. I want to eat more things, but when I try to eat it, I just get overwhelmed.
I’m not sure if I have this, but I feel like it’s a possibility. I wake up sick to my stomach everyday, abdominal pain, constipation & this may be due to this cycle affecting my body & causing me to actually feel sick. I notice that I try my best to eat, but I struggle. It’s not due to wanting to be “skinny” or anything. My family gets so frustrated with me & tries to force me to eat but I physically cannot do it. I am trying and I often times force myself to eat in front of family to avoid the scrutiny, or not be blamed because I “don’t take care of myself.” I avoid a lot of food, I know what I can eat and what makes me feel sick. I eat very lightly & if even the slightest thing is different about a dish, I avoid it completely. I never realized I do this until watching this.. For example. I don’t like my food to touch, I don’t like to try new things, I only eat certain bread (only white) & certain things at fast food places. I fear that I will get tired of eating the same things and I don’t want that to happen. I drink Ensure to try to maintain my nutrients because it goes down easy. As a child, my father kept us on a strict diet. No colored cereal, only water and milk, and homemade meals. No candy. Maybe this started the problem? When I grew older, I wanted soda and junk food. I ate like that for a couple years and now I notice that I avoid food like chicken breast, which is a usual homemade meal. I’m not sure what to do about this..
If your digestion isn't functioning well or you lack iron/ b12 you will have zero appetite. My daughter was chronically constipated and drs had her living on Movicol and I had enough and took her to a naturopath. She started taking probiotics, l glutamine, vit D and zinc and within 4 days her system started clearing out. Now her digestion is working well but psychologically still trying to accept more safe foods. Sh3 said the other day "Mum, I actually feel hungry!" Goodluck.
I also suspected my 5 years old having ARFID. When he was younger, he ate everything fed but when he started to eat by himself, he refused to eat food he used to eat. He eat few items, such as bacon, popcorn chicken from Walmart store only, fries, pbj, plain white rice, plain spaghetti. He eats some fruits, like banana apple, pears grapes, oranges. But NO vegetables whatsoever. Lately he seems to withdraw from these food that he has been eating. Gag/ throw up every time I made him try new food. His speech is lack of clarity and starts to stutter. Social anxiety since young but seem to get better once started preschool. I need help. Went to see his doctor. However, the doctor feel like he just a picky eater and manipulated me. I’m not sure where to start since I don’t feel I get much support and info from the doctor much. Anyway, he’s been in speech therapy.
Is there any thought that this is an addictive disorder? The child starts with a low food desire. They have low food desire so then they eat only for the dopamine release that happens with processed carbohydrates. Foods that do not release dopamine are avoided and over time they defend dopamine release with panic.
I can only speak for myself but I don't think it's about dopamine. Mine is oversensitivity to tastes (such as bitter) and textures. This seems to stem from my mother's frustration w/ it. One time she tried to force me to eat something I didn't like. My gag reflex kicked in (not choking, but a intense feeling of wanting to throw up.) She was telling me things like, "You better NOT throw up..." Now, that reflex kicks in easily. (Even w/ foods that I like sometimes). In my case it isn't something good that fuels this such as dopamine. It is fear of the horrible feeling of needing to throw up. Please don't force your child to eat foods they don't like. It is a horrible and even traumatic experience for the child. I am 55 & still struggling because of it. I hope that helped.
I've been thinking about your post & another reason I don't think it's dopamine, is 1. If I am having a bad day w/ this, I will ask myself, "If I could eat anything I wanted, what would it be?" My answer is I can't think of anything. My favorite food is steak but on those days I don't even want that. 2. I keep lots of snacks around, but don't want them when it's time to eat. Even my comfort foods don't sound appetizing. 3. In my experience this is caused by childhood trauma associated w/ eating. As a kid when I needed aspirin, I was given a tsp w/ crushed aspirin & water because I couldn't swallow pills. I am going to research on if there was baby aspirin when I was a kid in the 60s, if so I am going to be pissed. LOL I am slightly overweight, because when my late night dose of Gabapentin kicks in I get the munchies & want sweet stuff w/ salty stuff such as chips & ice-cream. My fall back food when nothing else "works" is a plain small McDonalds burger w/ a small amount of mayo & ketchup. Just throwing this stuff out there, hoping it can somehow help others. My progress is discovering that I can tolerate fresh spinach, though I started off w/ baby steps today w/ 3 leaves: 1 w/o any dressing & 2 w/ dressing. My sister who has this also suggested I played happy music while doing it to reprogram my brain to associate spinach w/ good feelings. I didn't try to eat more than that because I want to reprogram my brain to associate it w/ good feelings, not eat it till it becomes repulsive.
My life. Major trauma is linked to Arvid. For me it was the death of my Dad when I was six. I have no memory of him now (age 69). My Mom said I stopped eating right after his death. No veggies ever and no fruits. I can honestly say I have know idea what these taste like and yet I have a panic or flight or fight feeling when faced with these choices. I contemplated and tried suicidal a few times. I can go on but want to fix me? Remove my sense of taste. There must be some drug or operation that can accomplish this. I hate this about me. And although I have gone to therapists through the years. No one helped
Now I understand my child behavior related with food. It is very frustating. I wonder why there is no specifier like in anorexia in the DSM V depending in the severity ( Mild, moderate, sever and extreme)
Have you studied the taste buds to see if there is a difference. There is something called Supertasters, which matches ARFID exactly. They have more tastebuds and can't stand bitter tastes and alcohol is rarely enjoyed.
I just ordered a set of testing strips for my son. I think his dad might have this as well, so I will get him to try it, too. Should be here early next week, so I'll come back to update on it.
@@dunyajezeraskic3844 Thanks for the reply! I couldn't remember which video I left this comment on =P Anyway, all three of us tried it. As expected, my son said it tasted horrible lol. What surprised me is that my husband couldn't taste it at all but I could (no as much as kiddo, tho. He was revolted & spit out the paper and I just thought it was unpleasantly bitter) I guess that means he got it from my side, but I had really anticipated the opposite bc they both have more restricted diets whereas I like to eat pretty much everything. His dad was a heavy smoker when he was younger and I wonder if that may have damaged his tastebuds??
No one any where talks about child abuse causing arfids Im 49 just got diagnosed I've had fibromyalgia since my teens I have oteomalacia my bones are week & I've lost most of the cartlidge in my knees and shoulders an lost most of my teeth eating problems started when I first out of home I was only 14 I also have incontinence of bladder when sleeping all my life. I only eat potato chips peanut butter smooth only .I only drink milk chocolate milk coffee milk. plain cookies that's all I've eaten since 14 years old
I am a 58 year old male and I think I have ARFID but one of my symptoms doesn't match up. I hear about people being malnourished but I am just the opposite I am actually morbidly obease. I am 5'10" tall and I weigh 330 pounds. I eat a very limited number of foods but the proplem is they are almost all foods that you should not eat to loose weight. My question before moving forward with trying to get treatment is to find out if my situation would still fall under the umbrella of selective eating. I live in America so getting treatment in another country will be a major investment for me and I live on disability so my money is limited. So if I could get an answer to this it would be very helpful. I have actually made a list of everything I eat and drink and there are about 50 items on that list.
I don't have time to see a specialist with my busy work/school life so any advice on how to address my lack of interest in food would be very much appreciated🙏🏽
I don't know if I have it. I've been severely underweight all my life, and at 18, food is very uninteresting to me. I eat around 1100 calories a day, and am not hungry and don't have interest in eating more. Eating sounds like a chore.
Does Long Term ARFID Conditions Cause Dissociation/DPDR Like Symptoms? I am suffering from ARFID since 2 years now my symptoms are changing to DPDR like condition..
How about a small child with hfa, that had no problem with eating, had a healthy enjoyment of fresh foods, esp veggies and fruits, just had his own natural cycle, times of hunger. Bring on a new step mother figure that took charge, in a domineering way. After child had eaten as much as needed, and moved on into his pleasurable play, the authoritarian figure interrupts his focus, disregulates his system by demanding he eat more, as the child naturally resists and becomes overtly distressed, he is threatened with a punishment, and is over the edge. A positive relationship with food, has been turned into a subjegation and a stressor; a RESISTANCE that started as pure self defense "No no no!" that carries over to other routine tasks one must have a child take part in, like bathing. Disregulation, distress disrupts the cognitive ability in a developing small child's brain. Look around at the condition of society and you can see the impairments on a grand scale, set up by UnAttuned, controlling adults overpowering children's natural flow, often for convenience and sheer abuse of power over children, they take advantage of the typical benefit of the doubt and blame, shame, the results in that very child, when it causes extended behaviors. We have a land of adults covering the butts of other adults as they behave the way THEY were treated that caused a lack of empathy. Kids are also a commodity for the agencies funded to study and manage the avoidable issues the kids are conditioned to have. Everyone getting the benefit of compensation or power, by taking liberties with the vulnerable in our society, problematic snags for adults, always falls back on the "patient" as if it's organic.
I hate meat for as long as i can remember. And i hate tomato scrambled egg. I don't drink milk, i don't eat watermelon, any dishes with vinegar or instant noodles. Ppl around me often force me to eat meat but i hate it so much. I always avoid the raw meat area of supermarket, i would gagging when i smell, see or touch meat
I have a case that might interest you and help me get my kids help. Genetically my grandma maternal side anorexia aunt anorexia died age 27 heart attack 1984 now my daughters 18 yo binge purge and way too low body weight on slow release potassium 6 year old daughter 3 blood sugar crashes fast seizures ambulance Canyon get blood draw before giving glucose I have a injection now but it stays ok we can see if its getting low she is now only eating chips she's never tried meat veggies fruit Drs won't listen to me as had trouble nursing I pumped n fed for three months she finally latched . She's tiny. She tastes something new and will actually throw up. I'm overwhelmed its just me I'm accommodatiing to it. I'm trying to get older child to go to Roberts only place takes Texas insurance. Both high anxiety I believe six yo might have autism low on scale but some movements are unusual. I need help plus it might be helpful to others might learn from this case...
I wish there was more information about ARFID in adults. Everything I look up seems to be aimed at children and it’s kind of frustrating. This is a good talk though.
Me too I’m 43 and have only just discovered this.
I'm 33, I thought something was wrong with me, my family don't support me, I'm alone in my journey to gain weight.
@@wmarch88 as hard as we want to lose weight. :(
@@wmarch88 I hope you find the inner strength to overcome. Please find a doctor who can get you the right ED therapist. We have a 15 yr old who is dealing with this issue, too. We are in the early stages of discovery of his undiagnosed ED. Be well.
@@michaeljames2183 Thank you, I hope everything is ok with you and your family
He's describing my life, finally someone understands what I feel.
Me too, in this two days y realize that I'm not the only who have this, and the most important is not my fault to be like I am.
@@wmarch88 same here
As a kid did you hide uneaten food in your room like our teen boy does?
No I didn't, I was never pressured by my parents to eat more than I wanted so I didn't have to.
@@hishamhaidar8926 I hope you have been recovering and thriving. (Not just surviving). Thanks for your reply and insight. Be well.
i always thought my little sister was just a picky eater but today I saw her crying because there was nothing /for her/ to eat. she said it happens sometimes when she's hungry, I asked her to eat something only to be met with "I don't have an appetite", she had just told me seconds ago she was crying because she was hungry. she refused to eat even her favourites when i offered to pay for them and has only eaten watermelon all day long. I've seen her cry numerous times before but this was different from when our dad scolded her or when she couldn't play games on a phone.
i suddenly remembered about the kid who only ate fries whom I had heard about previously. i really feel like she might have this disorder. she's had anaemia for a long time and it has been characterised to picky eating until now.
i even feel guilty because I've shamed her so many times for only ever eating pizza or never anything healthy and now she's refusing even that. and almost everyone in our house has done that for one thing or another.
hopefully I can convince our father to let her see a therapist and he doesn't tone it down to me being overdramatic. honestly, though, I wish I am.
I can relate to you sister, i know that i need to eat and often even want to but when it comes to actually eating the food, it can be quite disgusting to swallow as if my bodys rejecting it. Some days i can eat just fine but most of the time its not appealing at all
Definitely try to convince him to let her see a therapist, and maybe consider giving her a multivitamin pill. Multivitamin gummies don't have the correct daily amounts of different vitamins simply because you (they) cannot ensure anything that's inside a gummie. Haha
I can relate... A LOT . I cry a lot when it comes to finding something to eat. Idk why but it’s so stressful. I hope your sister is doing better :)
Wow I relate so so much to your sister. Actually right now I’m very hungry but there is nothing that could make me eat and it is so frustrating you can only cry. I am 25, it’s not going away with out... well I don’t know but therapy while she’s younger will help her not have to worry about it as much an adult as I am doing right now. Maybe my experience can give your dad perspective.
Just learning about this disorder and it is explaining my entire life. I am 23 and definitely have the sensory type. Thank you for your valuable research and hard work! Looking foreword to developments in treatment but the diagnosis is really comforting.
I’ve had times I’ve broken down crying on the kitchen floor because I’m so hungry but even my favourites make me want to puke. It’s gotten extremely badly lately.. I’ve lost 15kg in the last two months.. the only way I’ve been eating is by blending food and chugging it. Living with this disorder is miserable.
How are you doing nowadays? I'm on my fifth day of not eating properly
I wouldn't be able to drink the blended food. Texture is a HUGE thing for me, also foods touching.
There are "legal" and "not legal"
Cooked hamburger and cheese are LEGAL. Corn and cheese are NOT LEGAL..
I HATED Thanksgiving when my mother fixed my plate with everything piled on. I hate cranberries. She always plopped it on my plate. It would run into my potatoes and turkey. I would refuse to eat the bit of pink potatoes the cranberries had oozed into. Or the bits of turkey that had touched the cranberries.
Going to restaurants are a stressful night mare for me.
I hate rice, pasta., legumes, fish, seafood (basically anything that ever lived in water). When meeting friends for lunch or dinner I peruse the menu online so I can find something I like and enjoy.
THEN there is the whole issue of concentrating on my plate so that I can avoid seeing anyone else eat because is disgusts me. I don't want anyone to notice me carefully separating the food on my plate to avoid the touching.
I am 52. It seems to get worse instead of batter.
Goodluck glad to see u r going to get treatment.. Eating is not a crime.!!! I hope u get better and have a really happy eating disorder arfid FREE life and a long prosperous one. Best wishes always. Gloria Blackett 🎉 Australia 🇦🇺
When I was 19, I foolishly trained myself to lose interest in food for reasons of convenience, not realizing how much I was hurting myself psychologically and physiologically. Now I am 26, and I believe that I could be diagnosed with ARFID. Because I caused this issue in the first place, I believe I may be able to reverse it. I have made tremendous progress and feel like I'm on the verge of normal again, with only some disappointing speed-bumps here and there. I know it can be hard working through it when nobody understands you or can relate to you, and so I am here for support if anybody wants to talk.
How have you been able to overcome this? I really need help, I live alone in a new country and I'm scared that I might die from starvation from not being interested in eating anything and I'm crying for help. Please and thank you.
@@ZeroDayPrince I had already lost weight when I started to realize that I had a big issue. I initially tried to get my weight back by eating larger portions, but that never worked because it only made me like food even less, and then my problem only got worse.... I never felt hungry, or I would only feel hungry right after eating, and I didn't like the idea of forcing myself to eat. But I discovered one simple thing that switched things around. I started eating breakfast at the same time each morning, before 8am. If I had at least something in the morning before it was too late, something like oatmeal or a couple eggs, then I would feel hungry by lunch-time, and hungry again come dinnertime. On days that I didn't eat breakfast, or ate something later in the morning, I never felt hungry the entire day. That's what I've been doing for a few months now, is eating at least a bowl of oatmeal every morning before 8am, and then eating lunch and dinner at the same time every day. Whenever I do that, for the rest of the day I actually have a desire to eat and I feel the sensation of hunger. The transition didn't happen instantly, but it took a few weeks of eating regular early breakfasts like that before I noticed there was a difference in my attitude toward food. If you try that and don't notice a change even after doing it for a while, I'm sure there is some other simple thing that you can try which will give you interest in food. Just keep trying and exploring, there is a way to trick your body into getting hungry. Blessings, and I wish you the best! I hope it is somehow possible that I can hear how you do in the future.
Reading the comments and I'm in tears
same
Same
Thanks for posting this. I'm almost 50 yrs old and have had the sensory version of this my whole life; it's nice to be able to put a name to it. I wonder if my social anxiety disorder is related (I've had that my whole life as well). I can't imagine living any other way. I can't fathom that any 'cure' for my issue could ever be found. You would have to change 'me' so much, in order to change 'HOW I PERCEIVE' the smells the tastes and the textures. So many foods are equivalent to me to vomit, feces, & roadkill. How could I ever be changed to view them differently? Would I even be me any more? Scary to think about.
using pressure to force a child to eat is borderline abuse. I was this child and i had this happen me, i didn't give in, ever and being told to eat things i knew i didn't like was extremely stressful. I am now a healthy adult that still has a lot of foods i won't eat but i do try things, which only started AFTER people stopped trying to force shit on me.
Thank you for this! You are describing my son 100%.
I always felt like eating was a chore for me, like I could be doing anything else besides eating😅
Yessssssss so much this!!
Yessss this one😩❤
I have this, and I'm 66 years old and have done fine in life. Fortunately, my situation was not so severe that I was ever malnourished, but it's often been socially difficult. I long since became open about it and will tell people there are things I can't eat, nor will I get pushed into "trying" something, or gong to a restaurant that serves food I know I can't deal with.
When I was 10 I told my mom and doctor I was afade I'm not eating enough of the right food and my doc blew me off. I'm 22 and I'm even more concerned
56:10 holy cow. Yup not gonna work on children with panic disorder. I can see how it would make their condition much worse.
"Such a tedious task" I'd always say to myself everytime I started eating
Has there been an update? New treatment plans?
I think I may have a light version of the sensory sensitivities. For as long as I can remember, the textures of some foods have been SO appaling to me. Just looking at the texture of (especially strawberries) fruit makes me feel sick and I dont eat it which always lands me exessive criticism because people dont understand. I know it's not healthy, I feel bad enough. I get so uncomfortable when people ask me about foods I dont eat. It's been so embarassing, shameful and stressful all my life in social situations. I decided to make a change because I was eating basically only processed carbs (pasta, rice, potatoes) and I knew I had to change, but it's been hard! F.ex. I tried getting over the texture of broccolli heads (and I had to kinda prepare for putting it in my mouth for a while beforehand) recently (the first time I've been able to try a really big issue food) and it wasnt that bad, I forced myself through a small portion. But only a few hours after I started thinking of the texture on my tongue and became really disgusted with having that in my belly. I still hate thinking about the fact that I ate it and havent had it since.
I really feel you especially the strawberry part. I just can’t get over the weird texture it’s even worse in yogurt with little pieces of strawberries. And I only found out today that there actually is a name for this. I only really eat about 5 fruits and everytime I am presented with new food I get anxious because of the texture . I remember when I used to force myself to eat it because my mom wouldn’t allow to let me get away with it and everytime I just wanted to throw up or just spit it out. And I especially hate the social situations which involve food because I always have to know what kind of food there is going to be in order to prepare myself.
This reminds me of my 9 year old daughter so much, I don't know how to help her but I avoid putting any pressure on her.
Our 15 yr old son will probably be diagnosed with this on his next doctor visit. I’m glad I found this beforehand. I feel for all of you with this ED. I can’t imagine the hell it must be. Please find a doctor who knows what you are going through so the doctor can find you an ED therapist who understands your plight. Show this video to your family members so they can be more understanding. Until I saw this, I was on my son about eating and gaining weight since he hasn’t gained a pound in 3 years and we were finding uneaten food stashed in his room in drawers and bins.😔 Now, I will show him this video and ask him if he feels the same about food, whether it be a texture, taste, smell issue. I will definitely be more understanding. I had no idea. His first counselor thought he had high functioning autism but was diagnosed with anxiety at an early age by Univ. of Chicago. He will probably have to be reevaluated by an ED psychologist. There might be more going on than was previously diagnosed. Diagnoses might not always be correct. Be well all, and please get the help you need.
I tried the techniques described for my son. He is 9 now and we have had this issue for probably 7-8 years...nothing works despite the fact that we eat very healthy, family meals. I explained to him that this is a disease, he described it like his mind is playing tricks on him (he listened to some of this video) and the fact that if we don’t succed he will need to go to treatment. I tried the technique that they described with Allison - identified one food, ours was beets, gave him a slice and stayed by him saying to take a bite...and being supportive and explaining him that gagging sensation etc. was all his mind and the disease, and encouraging them we can beat the disease and we won’t have to go to a hospital. This is our first night and I hope it continues this way,...he was happy in the end saying that he likes it. He has not had another vegetable besides tomatoes in probably 6-7 years...I am so encouraged to keep going and he felt victorious as well.
Hi just curious if you have had any more success with this?? My 9 year old daughter sounds very similar.
Yes, we keep going ...he also tried carrots and ate some grapes again, which he dropped a few years ago.
I hate beets because of their texture and taste.
I wonder if I could have this. Ever since I was weaned, there were certain foods I would NOT touch and I would starve myself for days if nothing else was offered. I also knew a lady who had an autistic child who would often have to be hospitalized for malnutrition because he refused anything.
I'm pretty sure this is my 19 month old son. He's never been interested in food. Only will eat 5-6 items. Gags with foods, refuses anything new - screaming, etc. It's really stressful and frustrating.
My son did what I call “the big switch” around this age, try to get help asap. Mine is 7 and it’s only gotten worse. We’re in the process of seeking professional help.
I'd say this disorder started during my high school depression phase, I got through the melancholy and insomnia but my eating habits were never the same again😕
This describes my Daughter and one of her cousins sooo much!!! I have always called it “food aversions” but it’s getting worse and it started in the high chair very very early on!
Same for my son!! Just getting worse as he ages.
This does not seem like a typical ARFID case. From what I read a majority of people with ARFID would rather starve than eat whatever it is you are trying to force them to eat. What they are describing sounds very traumatic for the child.
Correct. My child chooses to starve. He can’t be forced. Been there done that. He gags or throws up, causing more trauma.
I’m 31, I only eat yellow crispy foods.
I don’t care about My appearance, I’m fully aware the damage was of my diet.
I’m obsessed with food, price of food in different countries, down to cuts of steak. Organic foods.
I believe I will die never having eaten a Sunday dinner, never eating a burger kebab pizza fish vegetables fruit.
Down to the point. Where I don’t even eat chocolate or sweets.
I only have ever eaten cheese on toast, chips, crisps, garlic bread, fried chicken.
Before people try and tell me the problems that my diet alone could cause.
I’m 31 and have spent more hours than you have m/s thinking about the problems you comprehend.
I'm not sure about the third person and the techniques she is encouraging. ARFID often has anxiety and/or panic disorders at its core. Imagine using those demanding and pressuring techniques on a kid who is already struggling. How terrible.
I finally understand I’m 59 years old. Always been a picky eater. I don’t know if it’s picky but I only have some selective food that I eat. I’m embarrassed to go out to eat because I have to explain to my friends and coworker as a child was very thin I lived in Europe. I was on b12 vitamin shots and iron shots cause I buy vitamin deficiency I was anemic child
As adult very health still have the same eating disorder. I still eat the same thing I don’t eat meat I never had a hotdog or steak or cheese but I do like yogurt I do like milk I don’t eat eggs I do like vegetables and of course bread my pasta is only white with no butter. It’s actually nice to find out that I have arfid
I hope you read what I have wrote.
You did a an amazing job, this meant so much to you. Please reach out to me.
Thank you for posting this. I'm 27 and am pretty sure I have the sensory type. I've never liked milk because of the smell and something about the taste just makes me feel like there's a lump in my throat and I can't swallow it. Something about the consistency of sauce stresses me out. Vegetables always end up either being too hard that I feel like I can't eat it or too soft that it falls into my mental "sauce" category. I want to eat more things, but when I try to eat it, I just get overwhelmed.
I’m not sure if I have this, but I feel like it’s a possibility. I wake up sick to my stomach everyday, abdominal pain, constipation & this may be due to this cycle affecting my body & causing me to actually feel sick.
I notice that I try my best to eat, but I struggle. It’s not due to wanting to be “skinny” or anything.
My family gets so frustrated with me & tries to force me to eat but I physically cannot do it. I am trying and I often times force myself to eat in front of family to avoid the scrutiny, or not be blamed because I “don’t take care of myself.”
I avoid a lot of food, I know what I can eat and what makes me feel sick. I eat very lightly & if even the slightest thing is different about a dish, I avoid it completely. I never realized I do this until watching this..
For example. I don’t like my food to touch, I don’t like to try new things, I only eat certain bread (only white) & certain things at fast food places.
I fear that I will get tired of eating the same things and I don’t want that to happen. I drink Ensure to try to maintain my nutrients because it goes down easy.
As a child, my father kept us on a strict diet. No colored cereal, only water and milk, and homemade meals. No candy. Maybe this started the problem?
When I grew older, I wanted soda and junk food. I ate like that for a couple years and now I notice that I avoid food like chicken breast, which is a usual homemade meal. I’m not sure what to do about this..
If your digestion isn't functioning well or you lack iron/ b12 you will have zero appetite. My daughter was chronically constipated and drs had her living on Movicol and I had enough and took her to a naturopath. She started taking probiotics, l glutamine, vit D and zinc and within 4 days her system started clearing out. Now her digestion is working well but psychologically still trying to accept more safe foods. Sh3 said the other day "Mum, I actually feel hungry!" Goodluck.
I also suspected my 5 years old having ARFID. When he was younger, he ate everything fed but when he started to eat by himself, he refused to eat food he used to eat. He eat few items, such as bacon, popcorn chicken from Walmart store only, fries, pbj, plain white rice, plain spaghetti. He eats some fruits, like banana apple, pears grapes, oranges. But NO vegetables whatsoever. Lately he seems to withdraw from these food that he has been eating. Gag/ throw up every time I made him try new food. His speech is lack of clarity and starts to stutter. Social anxiety since young but seem to get better once started preschool.
I need help. Went to see his doctor. However, the doctor feel like he just a picky eater and manipulated me. I’m not sure where to start since I don’t feel I get much support and info from the doctor much. Anyway, he’s been in speech therapy.
This is my child too. Ate great as an infant then he changed overnight when he was an older toddler. Rejected everything.
How is your boy doing now at 9?
Is there any thought that this is an addictive disorder? The child starts with a low food desire. They have low food desire so then they eat only for the dopamine release that happens with processed carbohydrates. Foods that do not release dopamine are avoided and over time they defend dopamine release with panic.
I can only speak for myself but I don't think it's about dopamine. Mine is oversensitivity to tastes (such as bitter) and textures. This seems to stem from my mother's frustration w/ it. One time she tried to force me to eat something I didn't like. My gag reflex kicked in (not choking, but a intense feeling of wanting to throw up.) She was telling me things like, "You better NOT throw up..." Now, that reflex kicks in easily. (Even w/ foods that I like sometimes). In my case it isn't something good that fuels this such as dopamine. It is fear of the horrible feeling of needing to throw up. Please don't force your child to eat foods they don't like. It is a horrible and even traumatic experience for the child. I am 55 & still struggling because of it. I hope that helped.
I've been thinking about your post & another reason I don't think it's dopamine, is 1. If I am having a bad day w/ this, I will ask myself, "If I could eat anything I wanted, what would it be?" My answer is I can't think of anything. My favorite food is steak but on those days I don't even want that. 2. I keep lots of snacks around, but don't want them when it's time to eat. Even my comfort foods don't sound appetizing. 3. In my experience this is caused by childhood trauma associated w/ eating.
As a kid when I needed aspirin, I was given a tsp w/ crushed aspirin & water because I couldn't swallow pills. I am going to research on if there was baby aspirin when I was a kid in the 60s, if so I am going to be pissed. LOL
I am slightly overweight, because when my late night dose of Gabapentin kicks in I get the munchies & want sweet stuff w/ salty stuff such as chips & ice-cream.
My fall back food when nothing else "works" is a plain small McDonalds burger w/ a small amount of mayo & ketchup. Just throwing this stuff out there, hoping it can somehow help others.
My progress is discovering that I can tolerate fresh spinach, though I started off w/ baby steps today w/ 3 leaves: 1 w/o any dressing & 2 w/ dressing. My sister who has this also suggested I played happy music while doing it to reprogram my brain to associate spinach w/ good feelings. I didn't try to eat more than that because I want to reprogram my brain to associate it w/ good feelings, not eat it till it becomes repulsive.
52:30 did that and ended up with vomit everywhere each time.
Yep my son gags and he vomited when we forced him to try pasta.
My life. Major trauma is linked to Arvid. For me it was the death of my Dad when I was six. I have no memory of him now (age 69). My Mom said I stopped eating right after his death. No veggies ever and no fruits. I can honestly say I have know idea what these taste like and yet I have a panic or flight or fight feeling when faced with these choices. I contemplated and tried suicidal a few times. I can go on but want to fix me? Remove my sense of taste. There must be some drug or operation that can accomplish this. I hate this about me. And although I have gone to therapists through the years. No one helped
Now I understand my child behavior related with food. It is very frustating. I wonder why there is no specifier like in anorexia in the DSM V depending in the severity ( Mild, moderate, sever and extreme)
Yessss the food items from “Allison” just like my daughter!
The treatment for allison is very vague. There was no talk about what they did on phase one
Have you studied the taste buds to see if there is a difference. There is something called Supertasters, which matches ARFID exactly. They have more tastebuds and can't stand bitter tastes and alcohol is rarely enjoyed.
I just ordered a set of testing strips for my son. I think his dad might have this as well, so I will get him to try it, too. Should be here early next week, so I'll come back to update on it.
Natalia Turner please update us.. xx
@@dunyajezeraskic3844 Thanks for the reply! I couldn't remember which video I left this comment on =P
Anyway, all three of us tried it. As expected, my son said it tasted horrible lol. What surprised me is that my husband couldn't taste it at all but I could (no as much as kiddo, tho. He was revolted & spit out the paper and I just thought it was unpleasantly bitter) I guess that means he got it from my side, but I had really anticipated the opposite bc they both have more restricted diets whereas I like to eat pretty much everything.
His dad was a heavy smoker when he was younger and I wonder if that may have damaged his tastebuds??
@@nataliaturner4845 Hello Natalia Turner! Can you please update us? Thank you!
No one any where talks about child abuse causing arfids Im 49 just got diagnosed I've had fibromyalgia since my teens I have oteomalacia my bones are week & I've lost most of the cartlidge in my knees and shoulders an lost most of my teeth eating problems started when I first out of home I was only 14 I also have incontinence of bladder when sleeping all my life. I only eat potato chips peanut butter smooth only .I only drink milk chocolate milk coffee milk. plain cookies that's all I've eaten since 14 years old
I am a 58 year old male and I think I have ARFID but one of my symptoms doesn't match up. I hear about people being malnourished but I am just the opposite I am actually morbidly obease. I am 5'10" tall and I weigh 330 pounds. I eat a very limited number of foods but the proplem is they are almost all foods that you should not eat to loose weight. My question before moving forward with trying to get treatment is to find out if my situation would still fall under the umbrella of selective eating. I live in America so getting treatment in another country will be a major investment for me and I live on disability so my money is limited. So if I could get an answer to this it would be very helpful. I have actually made a list of everything I eat and drink and there are about 50 items on that list.
That don’t exclude you, just means most people appear to have the opposite.
I don't have time to see a specialist with my busy work/school life so any advice on how to address my lack of interest in food would be very much appreciated🙏🏽
I don't know if I have it. I've been severely underweight all my life, and at 18, food is very uninteresting to me. I eat around 1100 calories a day, and am not hungry and don't have interest in eating more. Eating sounds like a chore.
Does Long Term ARFID Conditions Cause Dissociation/DPDR Like Symptoms?
I am suffering from ARFID since 2 years now my symptoms are changing to DPDR like condition..
How about a small child with hfa, that had no problem with eating, had a healthy enjoyment of fresh foods, esp veggies and fruits, just had his own natural cycle, times of hunger. Bring on a new step mother figure that took charge, in a domineering way. After child had eaten as much as needed, and moved on into his pleasurable play, the authoritarian figure interrupts his focus, disregulates his system by demanding he eat more, as the child naturally resists and becomes overtly distressed, he is threatened with a punishment, and is over the edge. A positive relationship with food, has been turned into a subjegation and a stressor; a RESISTANCE that started as pure self defense "No no no!" that carries over to other routine tasks one must have a child take part in, like bathing. Disregulation, distress disrupts the cognitive ability in a developing small child's brain. Look around at the condition of society and you can see the impairments on a grand scale, set up by UnAttuned, controlling adults overpowering children's natural flow, often for convenience and sheer abuse of power over children, they take advantage of the typical benefit of the doubt and blame, shame, the results in that very child, when it causes extended behaviors. We have a land of adults covering the butts of other adults as they behave the way THEY were treated that caused a lack of empathy. Kids are also a commodity for the agencies funded to study and manage the avoidable issues the kids are conditioned to have. Everyone getting the benefit of compensation or power, by taking liberties with the vulnerable in our society, problematic snags for adults, always falls back on the "patient" as if it's organic.
I hate meat for as long as i can remember. And i hate tomato scrambled egg. I don't drink milk, i don't eat watermelon, any dishes with vinegar or instant noodles. Ppl around me often force me to eat meat but i hate it so much. I always avoid the raw meat area of supermarket, i would gagging when i smell, see or touch meat
I have a case that might interest you and help me get my kids help. Genetically my grandma maternal side anorexia aunt anorexia died age 27 heart attack 1984 now my daughters 18 yo binge purge and way too low body weight on slow release potassium 6 year old daughter 3 blood sugar crashes fast seizures ambulance Canyon get blood draw before giving glucose I have a injection now but it stays ok we can see if its getting low she is now only eating chips she's never tried meat veggies fruit Drs won't listen to me as had trouble nursing I pumped n fed for three months she finally latched . She's tiny. She tastes something new and will actually throw up. I'm overwhelmed its just me I'm accommodatiing to it. I'm trying to get older child to go to Roberts only place takes Texas insurance. Both high anxiety I believe six yo might have autism low on scale but some movements are unusual. I need help plus it might be helpful to others might learn from this case...
So I unconsciously started avoiding food till the day I fainted in front of my family and that's when I realized that I had a problem with eating😅
Fuck, lol. I guess im screwed
Too bad the study included all but black children. I wonder why that is.
I think I have all 3 types