pseudinymous:
Why would someone not eat not enough calories every day in spite of not having body image issues? When we think of eating disorders, we often think of disorders in the vein of anorexia nervosa, where body image plays a pivotal role in the avoidance of food.
There is, however, a much newer diagnosis in the DSM 5 that not many people know about: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This eating disorder occurs when someone will not eat enough calories or get proper nutrition day to day because they, for example, aren’t interested in eating food, don’t have enough appetite, find too many foods difficult to eat (out of disgust for the taste/texture), etc.
This disorder is common among people with ADHD and autism. Unsurprisingly.
It is, unfortunately, a problem I am personally well acquainted with. I struggle to eat enough day to day, and frequently find myself in starvation mode because I have to absolutely force myself to eat what is in front of me unless it is one of very few especially favoured foods. It has gotten to the point where I am directed to just eat three grapes every few hours to make sure I don’t accidentally starve myself in between times I’m not at the sushi shop, which is about the only food right now I will reliably consume. The only other way to get me to eat food regularly is to put me on a work schedule with a reasonably set time for lunch/snacks. I can almost never finish a whole meal, and certainly not without it feeling like a marathon.
If this is you, please get this looked into. It may not be anorexia, and people probably tell you they are jealous of you not wanting to eat all the time. You may be frustrated that you can only tolerate food that is highly bad for you and/or has absolutely no nutrition, like fried food (been there, done that). It’s not well known among doctors yet but a decent psych should be able to help lead you on a path to eating more, little bit by little bit. It’s certainly not something you can turn around and change overnight.
This is just a little PSA, in case others have trouble with this as much as I do.
Being a “picky eater” is not your fault.
(via majorasnightmare)