Book Online Counselling and Treatment for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

A Quick Overview

ARFID or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is an eating disorder. Its symptoms include refusal to eat specific foods. They may also include refusal to eat food with a particular texture, color, or smell. It is usually found in small children, but adults may also show its symptoms. Children with ARFID are very picky about the food they eat. They may prefer only certain types of foods. This can cause malnutrition and weight loss. However, parents seldom pay attention to this behavior in a serious manner which may lead to poor growth.

There are many triggers for this condition. Some experts believe that it is a genetic disorder. Others believe that it is a combination of psychological and triggering incidents.

This disorder starts very early, and it is more common in boys. But if diagnosed early, children and adults have a better chance of recovery. Treatment for this disorder includes therapy and dietary programs. Availing of therapy online is also an easy alternative to visiting a doctor in person.

To get proper therapy, you must look for a licensed medical professional. A therapist must have the suitable background required to help you. They should have a history of treating patients with the same or similar conditions. Seeking therapy online is convenient if you have a busy schedule. It saves time, and initial sessions can be inexpensive as well. If your area does not have a therapist with the required qualifications, online therapy is the way to go, as it has become highly accessible in the post-pandemic world.

So, if you have any eating disorder, you must take it seriously. Neglecting it for any reason can turn it into a life-threatening condition. If you think you have the symptoms of this condition, you can consider going for online therapy. If your child shows signs of this disorder, you should take them to a pediatrician first.

Major Causes

The exact cause of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is unknown. Some experts claim that it is of psychological origin. While others claim that it is a genetic disorder. With its addition to the DSM-5 list of disorders, it could be of psychological origin. Some still believe that it is a combined result of psychological and genetic factors along with triggering events. Environmental influences may also play a role in causing this condition. Children prone to problematic eating habits may develop it after a traumatic event.

Mental conditions are also known to cause this disorder. People with anxiety, depression, or similar conditions have irregular eating patterns. These patterns may cause an additional disorder in the form of an eating disorder. Developmental disabilities and autism may also contribute to its development. These issues have a direct impact on an individual's body. Their effects on an eating disorder may become substantial and extreme if a person already has it.

Common Signs

A lack of interest in eating specific kinds of foods characterizes this disorder. Picky eating is also associated with it. Individuals who have it may lose their appetite when exposed to certain smells or textures. Color of food, its taste, and how it feels on one's tongue act as triggers. Affected people are often afraid of choking on food and vomiting whatever they eat. Being underweight is also a common sign.

Here is a list of warning signs and symptoms for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder:

• Preferring food of a particular taste, color, texture, or smell
• Having a short list of go-to foods
• Avoiding vegetables, fruits, and meat
• Eating something and deciding never to have it again for no reason
• Poor growth
• Nutrient deficiency like vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency (iron, vitamin A, vitamin C)
• Avoidance of a particular food group
• Skipping meals
• Becoming stressed and tensed around unfamiliar foods
• Adverse effects on social behavior
• Dizziness
• Fear of choking or puking
• Feeling weak or excessively energetic
• Feeling sick during meals
• Feeling cold
• Having issues with digestion, constipation

Some kids have gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. It is often referred to as acid reflux. It is also a serious symptom of this condition.

Risk Factors

As it is a recently discovered disorder, health professionals know little about it. Nonetheless, they have narrowed down the potential risk factors for it. They can be genetic, temperamental, emotional, psychological, and mental factors. Children with picky habits have a risk of not outgrowing them. They may develop this condition fully. Children who have autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are also at a greater risk of developing it.

Risk factors include:

• Malnutrition
• Weight Loss
• Delay in development
• ARFID plus, which means that another disorder accompanies it. It can be anxiety disorder or related mental health issues
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Feeding through tubes
• Complications and Health Problems

Complications and Health Problems

Eating disorders can cause physical symptoms to appear. They also pose psychological threats to an individual. The everyday requirements for calories and nutrients are not fulfilled in ARFID patients. Some of the health complications that this disorder poses are:

• Cramps in stomach
• Heartburn, constipation
• Delayed periods or getting a period only when on hormonal birth control
• Problems in focusing
• Low iron
• Low levels of thyroid secretions
• Low RBC (Red Blood Cell) count, low hemoglobin
• Low level of potassium ions
• Issues with sleep
• Fainting
• Developing fine hair on the body
• Brittle nails
• Slow heart rate
• Thinning hair
• Slow healing of wounds and cuts
• Weak immunity
• Poor muscular growth

The bodily functions slow down due to the lack of necessary nutrients. It happens because the body needs to conserve more energy during the lack of it. Nutrients are vital for regulating metabolism properly. They help the body to cure wounds, maintain the right level of enzymes and provide energy. They help us move, excrete, respond to our environment, and many other things. For these reasons, this illness is a serious concern. It can cause a dramatic drop in the level of nutrients.

Some people can get accustomed to the changes brought about by stress caused by this condition. As a result, blood tests may not suggest any life-threatening problem. Severe nutritional deficiencies can also result in death. Drops in electrolyte levels are particularly dangerous and may cause sudden and unexpected death. People with nutritional deficiencies can also die from heart attacks.

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

If you have kids who are picky eaters, they may not need medical attention immediately. However, if their bodies show signs and symptoms of this disorder, you can try helping them in a careful and planned way. The goal is to become a role model for them and try different kinds of food in their presence. Making children feel safe about eating certain types of food should be the first course of action.

You should be careful not to force them into eating and trying the food. It can have a negative impact on them. You can start by observing the types of food they prefer and then introducing some variety. Whatever dietary plans you come up with, ensure your kids get a balanced diet. Serving them a nutritious diet is the primary goal. If done properly, it can reduce the effects of ARFID.

If you have kids who are young and on the autism spectrum, you can try desensitization therapy. It involves a playtime approach which helps them get used to the feel, smell, and sight of foods.

If you are an adult, you can start by observing your symptoms. If you don't prefer eating certain foods due to the anxiety of being in shape, you may have to work on the feeling of anxiety first. Getting therapy is a good way to approach this situation. The fear of others judging your body is a genuine and detrimental issue. If you are not struggling with this fear, you can try to set goals for yourself. These goals include:

• Correction of growth deficiencies
• Eating a wider variety of food
• Being able to eat in front of others
• Trying to deal with anxiety related to eating.

It is still advisable to contact a medical professional before you start working on yourself. Self-diagnosis can be misleading and may not be as effective as a professional one.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

The treatment does not have a set of formal guidelines. However, people suffering from its symptoms must receive proper medical attention. The trained professionals who can help you with this condition can be:

• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Occupational therapists
• Gastroenterologists

If your kids need medical attention, you can take them to the following:

• Developmental pediatricians
• Adolescent health physicians

You must avoid seeking help from multiple therapists at once. To counter this condition, depending upon the age group of the patients, there are many types of therapies. You can avoid getting them mixed up. A better thing to do is to stick to one therapist's advice. If it does not work, you can look for another one.

Different types of therapies depend on whether a child is on the autism spectrum. It is important to distinguish these conditions before starting therapy. Counseling is the necessary first step in the process of treatment.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

ARFID can become a life-threatening condition and severely affect your mind and body. As menacing as it sounds, it is a hundred percent treatable disorder. We are here to help you with the same.

Schedule an appointment with a trusted psychotherapist on DocVita today!