Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

[wolfter]

I've been doing some research and am "awe" with what I've discovered.  When questioned in the past, I steadfastly refused I had any form of anorexia and now I'm even more sure.

When I stumbled across this, I couldn't believe how exactly it describes my life long eating issues.  Here is an excerpt from the article:


People with ARFIDO do not think they are fat.

They know they are thin, abnormally thin, but they like it that way. They become proud of their ability to stay thinner than most. They will keep up the dieting even when they know they are developing a health problem or nutritional deficiency because they like being one of the thin ones.

2. They don’t especially like food, food is the enemy.

People with ARFIDO will avoid many or all foods. They may need to resort to nutritional supplements to keep their weight above the critical go-to-hospital point.

3. They avoid putting on weight as they grow or in adulthood lose excessive amounts of weight.

They will continue avoiding food even when they know they are making themselves sick by their intentional starvation.  Like Pieter Pan they do not want to grow up or get larger.

4. This is not the result of starvation or lack of resources. People with ARFIDO do this on purpose. The will harm their health to look thin while living in a home with a full refrigerator.

5. Because they are so good at avoiding eating, people with ARFIDO do not have the need for the extreme measures we see in anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia.

the complete link.

http://www.wellsphere.com/mental-health-article/avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder/1727282

Haven't found the solution yet, but at least I found something I'm identifying with....finally.

[Jeff G]

So basically your saying your just too lazy to stick your fingers down your throat ?

All kidding aside I really don't know what to make of it . I know when I blimp up my body pretty much takes over and tells me to quit eating so much .

I know you have talked about food issues and liked to stay slim but I do not recall you saying that you thought it was a problem . 

[wolfter]

So basically your saying your just too lazy to stick your fingers down your throat ?

All kidding aside I really don't know what to make of it . I know when I blimp up my body pretty much takes over and tells me to quit eating so much .

I know you have talked about food issues and liked to stay slim but I do not recall you saying that you thought it was a problem .

I could never do the puking thing, brings back bad memories.

I'm finally realizing that I need to address some of these underlying problems.  In a way, I was enabled as a child as according to family, "He's just a picky eater".  Another site I found indicated another exact on description I've always dealt with.  That is avoidance of eating in front of others.  This all manifested again this weekend at a Christmas party where we sat as a group and eat.  I felt like everyone was watching what I ate.

I can't exactly explain the feelings as they're strange.  I've never enjoyed eating in front of people and have never understand how the simple act of eating could be entertaining, such as "going out to dinner". 

Perhaps now I can figure out some dealing strategies now that I potentially understand what it's called at least.  Felt better just putting it to words.

[intaglio]

I've never enjoyed eating in front of people and have never understand how the simple act of eating could be entertaining, such as "going out to dinner". 

IMHO, that's more along the lines of general social anxiety, rather than food-related. Trust me, unless your manners are atrocious, nobody notices how you eat.

I have a relative that food just doesn't taste good to her. She really gets no enjoyment from it. She has very little sense of smell and almost no taste buds. About all she can taste is salty food. Needless to say, she's very thin and people think she's a bit anorexic.

The best way to determine if you are getting enough calories is to track your eating habits. It takes effort, but once you see your caloric intake -and nutritional value of what you eat, you can easily assess if you are eating healthy. Once you see you are providing what your body requires, it will go a long way toward putting your mind at ease.

Your body may just never feel starved or give you notice it is hungry. It's unusual, but not unheard of. Food just isn't a trigger or causes metabolic reactions in you the way it does in others. That's not a bad thing. But if you tend to compare yourself to others (don't, just don't) it can cause you to question what is normal for you.

[Miss Philicia]

Actually it sounds quite food related to me. He doesn't have the issue drinking in front of other people (and no wolftie, that is not a personal attack it's just fact).

Honestly the (admittedly few) pictures I have seen of you full body you didn't look emaciated but I'd need to see you in person. I think the bottom line from a health standpoint for someone with HIV is that being too thin has it's negative side, just like being overweight.

[wolfter]

Actually it sounds quite food related to me. He doesn't have the issue drinking in front of other people (and no wolftie, that is not a personal attack it's just fact).

Honestly the (admittedly few) pictures I have seen of you full body you didn't look emaciated but I'd need to see you in person. I think the bottom line from a health standpoint for someone with HIV is that being too thin has it's negative side, just like being overweight.

Reviving my own zombie thread.  Once again searching this topic and was linked here from google.  I saw that David was the last poster.  I miss his candor.  He and I started off horribly in these forums which probably led to a greater understanding of each other. 

[zach]

i have the same reaction when i'm searching and come across posts from he and joe