Arphid differs from eating disorders that make people limit calories out of fear to gain weight or because they have a distorted image of the body. Instead, people with a disorder of food behavior could have sensory problems, or they could experience a traumatic event that leads to the prevention or restriction of food.
“I had a gradual growth in my fears,” said Diana Buzzfeed News. “At first it began as a fear of strangling food. As soon as this fear did not come true, it was aggravated to fear of anaphylaxia [an allergic reaction]It was especially for products that I have not enjoyed, or food that I have never tried before. When I did not have an allergic reaction, fear landed with fear of being poisoned. This began as an irrational fear that arose from watching a show, where a person was killed from a food that I am already fear. ”
Children and adults with Arfid, as a rule, have lists of “safe” food that they can eat. Outside these safe products they can Avoid eating something with specific smellsTaste, temperature, textures, colors, categories or from certain brands.
In an interview with a street style with a Tiktok show Please don't tell anyoneWhich is part of the podcast, where people are asked to reveal their secret, one person named Jason shared what it means to have arfide. “I have a list, perhaps from 20 to 25 products that I can eat. Everything else, I get a reaction with an automatic point. So it was the way I was a small child … I carry a lot of guilt and shame on this. ”
Tiktok has become a viral with 3 million views and more than 3,000 comments, and many people share their own experience with a disorder of food behavior. “As a colleague, an arfid, thanks for sharing their history and disseminating information,” said one of the users.
Since more and more people talk about the condition and increase awareness, this can help reduce the shame, which many people experience a disorder. As a result of their restrictions on food, people with Arfid Usually do not satisfy their nutrition needs And it can have low weight, feeding deficiency and dependence on additional feedings, as well as problems with mental, emotional and cognitive functions.
It is not clear how many people have arfides, but those who have food disorders, as much as 9% adults And 22% of children can comply with the criteria. ABOUT 9% of the population around the worldIncluding 28.8 million Americans, at some moment in their disorder of food behavior.
We talked with experts about various types of ARFID, which causes a disorder of food behavior, symptoms, treatment options and psychological effects that this condition can have on people who develop it.
There are 3 different types of arfide
DSM-5, a guide used by mental health specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions, breaks Arfid into three categories:
- sensory sensitivity
- Lack of interest in food
- Avoiding food from the traumatic experience
Sensory sensitivity
One of The most common reasons for avoiding This is an increased sensitivity to food, including taste, texture, appearance, smell and much more. People with Arfid may think that fruits and vegetables are bitter and avoid these products. As a result, they can rely on products that are highly processed and dense, causing serious disadvantages of vitamins and minerals.
For most people with ARFID, avoiding food begins from early childhood – and this is more than just a breakdown, says the Supatra, a product, a clinical psychologist and a registered nutritionist in Pasadena, California.
“Arfid is a disorder of food behavior, which is characterized by constant anxiety about the consequences of food, including suffocation, vomiting, along with a significant restriction of the amount and variety of food,” said the Buzzfeed News.
For some people with arfide, like Diana, texture and taste of food can cause real fear.
“If I had not expected textures or taste, my heart will begin to rush, and I would have done something in my strength to prevent myself from swallowing, because if I swallowed, something bad will happen,” said Diana. “I would either spit it in a napkin, or run to the bathroom and spat out what I had in my mouth. As soon as this experience occurred, all the food was spoiled, and I either have to take something completely new, or more than likely, I will no longer eat something for another day. ”
Injurous experiences
Providing food and restriction can be caused by previous interaction with food. People who experience a traumatic event associated with food can find that avoiding food can for a moment weaken their anxiety.
“Not all people with Arfid are starting like selective units,” said Kim Anderson, Executive Director of Eating Recovery Center, based in Baltimore. “Sometimes negative experience with food, such as strangulation, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reaction, creates fear of certain products or even food as a whole, which can lead to the development of Arfid.”
People with Arfid can summarize the type of food associated with traumatic experience, avoiding entire food groups or, in severe cases, all solid foods.
Lack of interest
Some people with harpids Find to eat routine workThe field, unlike people with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, the goods emphasize that the lack of interest in people with Arfid is not based on a poor form of the body, body dysmorphia or fear of gaining weight.
“Arfid is not connected with behavior in common for the decay of food behavior or with behavior associated with nervous bulimia, such as vomiting, the use of laxatives or diuretics or excessive elimination to compensate for the bing,” the goods said.
People with Arfid, as a rule, do not like to eat, and sometimes they can force themselves to eat because of fears about malnutrition.
“Usually, in general, there is a general drawback in food, not because you are not hungry, but because there is a common fear of what the possible consequences of food will be,” said Diana. She begins with a check of food to make sure that this is exactly what she wanted, and it seems that she expects. When she tries this, she analyzes the taste and texture.
“If the sensation does not coincide with the sensation in the mouth, the panic will take, and I most likely spat out my food and lose my appetite,” she said to Buzzfeed News.
Symptoms of Arfid
ARFID can lead to deficiency of vitamin, amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods), abnormal heart rhythm and low level of potassium in the blood. Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation, cold intolerance, dry skin and hair loss.
ARFID symptoms can Imode other conditionsTherefore, doctors should exclude disorders such as celiac disease, An irritated bowel syndromehyperthyroidism, or Type 1 diabetesField
“Since arfide is often mistakenly considered a childhood disease, many adults are not diagnosed and do not treat,” Anderson said. “Despite the fact that adult studies are limited, we know that their symptoms can be as difficult as young patients and available treatment methods can be effective.”
In addition, ARFID symptoms may look in the same in children and adults.
According to the goods, in children, some of the common signs and symptoms of ARFID include a refusal to try new products, fear for strangulation, vomiting or nausea, and/or hostility to certain textures. In adults, signs and symptoms may include fear of certain products, inability or indecision, so that there are difficulties with food in social or unfamiliar conditions and lack of interest in food.
Besides, People with ADHDthere may be an autistic spectrum or anxiety disorders It is more likely to develop arfidThe field children are also at a higher risk of other mental disorders.
People who avoid meat and animal products may have a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is a nutrient substance that retains blood and nerve cells healthy And it is only in animal products such as meat, cheese, eggs and milk. Those who avoid fruits and vegetables may have a deficiency of vitamin C, nutrients that Helps to protect the cell from damage And holds us with energy.
ARFID treatment options
Arphide, as a rule, needs a combination of medical, nutritious and psychological interventions as a result of malnutrition and weight loss, said Anderson BuzzFeed News.
“In severe cases, hospitalization or treatment for housing can be justified,” Anderson said. “After stable, patients will participate in psychotherapy using cognitive and behavioral strategies based on actual data to increase the diversity and volume of food products, gain weight as necessary and solve tied anxiety or other difficulties.”
Diana controlled her harpid, looking for a professional who led her with exposition therapy and trying Fear Foods.
“I also recommend people to track their progress,” said Diana. “The struggle with each new food will feel frightening, and as if progress is not achieved mentally, but proving to yourself how many other products you overcome, it will become a positive reminder that you can do it.”
The condition is also a good reminder for Never comment on the bodies of peopleEven if you think this is a compliment.
“Many patients with ARFID are very upset about their low weight,” said Anderson Buzzfeed News. “They often express satisfaction and pride in weight gain as they move through treatment.”
Jason, a man shown in the Tiktok video, shared more information about his experience in podcast. episodeHe said that it was difficult to talk about harpid, and then he felt even more stress after he became viral. However, when he finally looked at some comments, he realized that it was useful to share his experience for other people.
“I thought it would be nice to talk about it. I can really relate to people who feel isolated, just feeling a lot of suffering about this, ”Jason said in a podcast. “I know this exact feeling, and I knew that when I found out that there was a name for this, and I found out that it was not only me, like a big deal for me.”
