Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Dis... - Talk ED (eating d...

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Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?

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Hi, I am new here. I was just wondering if anyone suffers from Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). I have been diagnosed with anxiety and over the past couple months even with medication it's progressively getting worse which has left me with physical symptoms such as extreme nausea, headaches, sweating, hands trembling, light-headed, and the worst of all food aversions - I went to the doctor thinking I was sick and he said it's most likely anxiety induced. The food aversions are becoming severe - at first it was just no meat as the thought made me sick, now I am repulsed at the smell and sight of almost all food minus a few things I regularly eat. The things I regularly eat don't tend to be anything of substance more of junk food snacks because everything else grosses me out. I can be starving but unable to eat, especially when I smell others food I get extremely nauseous. I have lost 15lbs in only a few months... I am 5'6 and currently weigh 112lbs. I also think some of my symptoms may be a result of not consuming enough protein daily, I am light headed every time I stand up and get bruises all over my body very easily. Has anyone had anything like this before? I just want to feel healthy in my own body again, any suggestions will help.

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Hildegard88 profile image
Hildegard88

Hello Hidden .

I've had Arfid all of my life. Many people with this condition lose weight or are underweight. However, like some people with the condition I gained weight due to a preference for carb-based food. I only gained 1-2kg per year but it added up over time.

I eventually tried to improve my diet and restrict my carb intake. It quickly got out of hand and I now have atypical anorexia as well. Lucky me I have two eating disorders. Oh, and I have Autism as well, something that is often associated with Arfid. I'm really struggling mentally atm. My current psychologist isn't helping but I can't see an eating disorder psychologist until June. :(

If you click on my profile I have put a little more information about me there. I used to participate in the weight loss forum a lot, even hosting one of the weigh-ins but I had to stop as it was becoming too triggering.

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