ARFID: Characteristics And Symptoms Of This Disorder
What does ARFID consist of or, what is the same, the so-called Restricted/Avoidant Eating Disorder ? It is an eating disorder that is characterized by persistently avoiding or restricting certain foods; The result is nutritionally insufficient food.
Below, we define what exactly ARFID is, with the aim of better and more in-depth understanding of its severity. Likewise, we will discuss the importance of talking about it and not hiding it, in order to facilitate the recovery of people who suffer from it and, in addition, mitigate the stigma that hangs over them.
ARFID, unlike other eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, is not associated with a distortion of body image or a concern about body image and weight. People affected by ARFID avoid eating some foods for a variety of reasons, such as the color, flavor or texture of the specific food. Avoidance can also occur due to fear of vomiting or choking on food.
ARFID can appear at any time in life, although It is more common to occur during childhood and adolescence. This disorder should not be confused with being picky about food, since ARFID has an impact on health (both emotional and physical) that can be serious. In fact, people who suffer from this disorder can have a significant nutritional deficiency, in addition to alarming weight loss, a delay in the development of their body and social problems due to the limitation in their diet.
To obtain early detection and, therefore, start adequate treatment as soon as possible, it is necessary that we know what the symptoms of ARFID are and that we learn to identify them. Let’s see below some of the most important and significant ones.
1. Avoid certain foods or certain meals
This is the clearest and most obvious symptom: the person constantly avoids certain foods or certain complete meals. This may be caused by an aversion to its texture, flavor or color, among others.
On the other hand, people who suffer from ARFID usually have preferences for specific foods, a fact that extremely limits their diet.
2. Fear of vomiting or choking
Another of the clear symptoms of ARFID is the fear that the person has at the idea of ​​vomiting, choking or feeling discomfort after eating. This fear can lead the affected person to reduce intake or, directly, to avoid it. It is also common for people to avoid social gatherings where they eat, since they do not control what goes on each plate.
The anxiety that triggers this fear can, in turn, cause some physical symptoms. such as abdominal pain or nausea, even before eating the food in question.
3. Decrease in health
The physical health of the affected person is visibly diminished. People who suffer from ARFID may lose significant weight and/or be unable to regain weight or grow healthy.
4. Cognitive and emotional decline
On the other hand, it is possible to develop nutritional deficiencies as a result of the lack of variety in the diet, which, in turn, can generate low energy, loss of concentration, emotional disturbances, etc.
Like most disorders, ARFID can have various origins and have several risk factors. Often, they are all interrelated. Although there are still no definitive conclusions, we can identify some aspects that may influence the appearance and development of the disorder.
1. Biological factors
According to some research, ARFID could have a neurological and/or genetic basis. For example, People who have family members with eating disorders, anxiety problems, or gastrointestinal difficulties may develop a higher risk of suffering from ARFID.
On the other hand, there are some neurological characteristics that can make a person more predisposed to developing serious food aversions, such as, for example, great sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
2. Psychological factors
ARFID is often associated with elevated anxiety levels. Thus, those affected by this disorder may suffer an intense fear of eating certain foods, of feeling bad, choking etc. Fear can come from a bad experience at mealtime, such as food poisoning.
3. Social factors
Some very early experiences with food can influence the development of the disorder: a poor or restrictive diet during childhood, excessive control over feeding by caregivers traumas linked to food, etc.
4. Medical factors
Sometimes, the onset and development of ARFID can be associated with underlying medical conditions; For example, gastrointestinal problems or allergies can trigger an aversion to some foods and also their avoidance.
What is the treatment of ARFID?
As with most mental disorders, especially those related to physical health, ARFID requires multidisciplinary treatment, since it is necessary to address the psychological and physical aspects. On the other hand, early intervention and adequate support improve the quality of life of those affected and help them overcome the obstacles presented by this disorder. Let’s see it.
First, it is necessary to evaluate the patient’s nutritional deficiencies by qualified nutritionists and dietitians, who will work on the design of feeding programs that ensure adequate nutrition.
2. Psychological approach
On the other hand, psychological therapy is essential. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be very effective in treating ARFID. This therapy is based on the identification of erroneous patterns of thought and behavior linked to food, and then replacing them with more functional ones. In this way, those affected can face their fear and reduce it, as well as practice strategies that allow them to manage anxiety towards food.
3. Support from the environment
The support of the environment is essential for the good evolution of the treatment. Both family and close relationships should be informed and involved in treatment. The participation of these trusted people in the process and their understanding can help the patient a lot.
On the other hand, various professionals can partner with schools and other settings to work on strategies that allow for greater inclusion and greater support for the affected person in social contexts.
