- Hey everybody.
Today we're gonna talk about ARFID.
What is it and how can we overcome it?
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But let's jump into this topic.
ARFID or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
used to be called Selective Eating Disorder,
but the DSM changed it.
When the DSM-5 came out,
they called it ARFID instead.
And while many children can go through a picky phase
when it comes to what they want to eat,
those with ARFID do not consume enough calories
to develop or grow at the rate their expected to.
It can also cause issues for people at school or work
because they will need more time to eat,
and can be unable to participate in situations
that involve food.
Now, let's get into what criteria needs to be met
in order for someone to be diagnosed with ARFID.
Number one, an eating or feeding disturbance,
either a lack of interest in food or avoidance of food
based on the sensory characteristics of it,
like, it's too soft or we don't like the texture of it.
And this is shown in our inability
to meet appropriate nutritional or energy needs
associated with one or more of the following.
The first, significant weight loss,
or failure to achieve expected weight gain
and growth as a child.
Two, significant nutritional deficiency.
Three, dependence on a feeding tube
or oral nutritional supplements.
So if we can't meet our nutritional needs
without having an NG tube put in,
or drinking an Ensure or something,
that could be part of our ARFID.
And number four, we must have a marked interference
with our psycho-social functioning,
meaning that we can't go to work or school
or focus on our daily life,
and our relationships can suffer as a result.
Now the next criteria is that the disturbance
is not better explained by lack of available food
or by an associated, culturally sanctioned practice,
meaning like we're fasting for Ramadan, for example.
And the next criteria is that the eating disorder
does not occur exclusively during the course
of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
And there is no evidence of a disturbance in the way
in which one's body weight or shape is experienced.
Now, I wanna pause there, 'cause this part
is super important.
The difference between this and other eating disorders
is that with ARFID, we do not see ourselves
as much heavier than we are,
or notice if we gain or lose weight.
ARFID doesn't have anything to do with our appearance.
And finally, the eating disorder is not due
to a concurrent medical condition
or not better explained by another mental disorder,
like OCD or another eating disorder, for example.
When the eating disturbance occurs in the context
of another condition or disorder,
the severity of the eating disturbance
must exceed what is routinely associated
with that condition or disorder,
and it must warrant extra attention.
Now while we all know that eating disorders
can have many co-occurring issues,
meaning that we can have more than one diagnosis
happening at a time,
they find high correlations between those with ARFID
and Autism Spectrum Disorder and anxiety disorders.
They also report that children who were
very, very picky as children,
are more likely to develop ARFID.
And as always, everyone is gonna be different.
When it comes to mental health issues,
there are so many factors to consider.
So before we go jumpin' to any conclusions,
please see a mental health professional,
preferably one that specializes in eating disorders,
and have them help you better understand
what it is you're struggling with.
Since ARFID is diagnosed
because someone isn't getting proper nutrition,
there are many, many behavioral and psychological signs
and symptoms we can look out for in ourselves
or in someone we love.
These symptoms could be things like dramatic weight loss,
always stating that we feel sick to our stomach,
or having digestive issues.
We'll wear multiple layers of clothing to keep warm
because we're often underweight
because we're not meeting the nutritional needs of our body.
We'll always eat certain textures of food
and avoid others.
We will not be afraid of gaining or losing weight.
We can have difficulty concentrating.
Have bad breath, dry skin, brittle nails,
show a lot of hair loss.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
If we aren't giving our body the nutrients that it needs
each and every day,
our body will break down
and it can be really, really uncomfortable
not to mention extremely dangerous.
So please, reach out for help
if you are struggling with this.
There is help available.
But before deciding what treatment you'd like to try,
it's important that you know what changes
you want to see and what your overall goals are.
For example, you could want to be more comfortable
eating outside of your home,
or wanting to expand what foods you're okay eating.
Since ARFID doesn't have the component
of focus on weight loss
or changing the way that our body looks,
our eating disorder behaviors.
This can ensure that you get the right type of help
when you need it.
Here are some of the options just to help get you started.
The first is exposure therapy.
Since most of what those with ARFID struggle with
is a fear of maybe throwing up or getting sick
or just worry about certain foods,
kind of that anxiety portion of ARFID,
slowly using visualizations or even actual exposure
over time can help to combat the anxious thoughts.
For more information about exposure therapy,
you can click the link down in the decription
for my video all about it.
Number two is CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Because our belief that eating and certain foods
will make us sick, or just that our overall anxiety
about food makes it so difficult,
if not impossible, for us to eat,
working to figure out what those falsely held believes are,
and work to correct them,
meaning that we can target the thought processes
that prevent us from eating a well-rounded diet
and work to change them to be more inclusive of all foods.
And the third option is DBT
or Dialecticle Behavior Therapy.
Since much of what holds us back from eating all foods,
is that we become so overwhelmed by worry and upset
that we feel completely unable to eat.
DBT can help us manage all that we're feeling,
using the mindfulness techniques, emotion regulation,
and distress tolerance skills.
That way, we're better able to act out of our wise mind
when trying to eat properly.
And the fourth option, is intensive outpatient
or inpatient treatment,
with groups, one on one therapies,
supported meals, et cetera.
Because if seeing a therapist once or twice a week
isn't enough, there are other programs
that offer more support as well as group therapy.
This can help us get more hours of professional help
and help push us through
those really tough parts of recovery.
Just remember that everyone is going to be different.
You may only struggle with the anxiety component
or possibly only the fear of certain foods.
Whatever it may be, finding the right treatment
and therapist to work with is key,
because it can and will get better.
This video has been brought to you
by the kinyinz on Patreon.
If you would like to support the creation
of these mental health videos,
click the link in the description and check it out.
But as always, what are your thoughts on this?
Do you struggle with ARFID?
What treatment was best for you?
Please share in those comments down below
and we will keep working together
towards a healthy mind and a healthy body.
I will see you next time. Bye.