Selective Eating Disorder? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
This disorder falls under the umbrella of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or ARFID. Someone with a selective eating disorder may have a phobia of certain foods, maintain an excessively limited diet, and have sensory aversions to specific tastes, textures, or scents, or anxiety or aversion to swallowing, which is far more severe than merely being a fussy or picky eater.
Overview of SED
This kind of eating problem is common. More than half of eating disorders fit into the Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder group. This disorder doesn’t fit the diagnostic criteria for well-known eating disorders like binge eating disorder, bulimia, or anorexia. It often doesn’t last long. Many doctors say children typically outgrow fussy eating by age six.
People with this disorder can feel anxious about eating certain foods, which can be very difficult for them. Both children and adults with selective eating disorders believe certain foods will harm them, no matter their age. As a result, getting comprehensive mental health care and regular medical treatment is crucial. It helps them overcome their fears and develop healthy eating habits.
Symptoms of SED
A selective eating disorder often comes with anxiety, depression, and social issues. People with this disorder only eat foods they feel safe with and avoid others. Trying new foods can make them nervous or uncomfortable. They may fear choking or vomiting, or have bad memories about certain foods. Other signs include a limited diet, avoiding food groups, sticking to similar foods, and getting upset around new foods.
Causes of Selective Eating Disorder
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, unlike other well-known eating disorders, has nothing to do with body image or the desire to reduce or maintain weight. Instead, trauma is a common cause of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Early trauma in infancy typically leads to the development of this eating disorder and it convinces the individual that eating certain foods they are frightened of may kill them.
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Risk factors of SED
The traumatic event could be anything from choking to, in some cases, repressed memories of infants who were born preterm and spent months in the NICU with tubes running through their mouths and noses. Selective Eating Disorder is a sensory disorder, hence it is centered on fear, unlike other eating disorders.
Complications of SED
When compared to someone who does not have a selective eating disorder, long-term selective eating can cause malnutrition, digestive issues, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, and a slower heart rate.
In addition to the aforementioned issues, children who acquire a selective eating disorder at a young age may have developmental delays and weight loss. It can be difficult to use weight as a visual indicator in adults. Some adults may lose a lot of weight in a short period of time. In some circumstances, though, their weight may be perfectly normal and within medically recommended parameters.
Prevention of Selective Eating Disorder
Individuals with Avoidant Resistant Food Intake Disorder may be able to create better, safer coping skills for managing food phobias by examining the fundamental causes of their concerns and aversions to food. They will gradually begin to eat a more nutritious, well-balanced diet. Seeking treatment for selective eating disorders is typically far more beneficial and effective in modifying behaviors than hoping for symptoms to go away on their own.
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Diagnosis of SED
A selective eating disorder is defined as an eating or feeding disturbance (e.g., apparent lack of interest in eating or food; avoidance based on sensory characteristics of food; fear of aversive consequences of eating) manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs associated with one (or more) of the following:
- Weight reduction is significant (or failure to achieve expected weight gain or faltering growth in children).
- Nutritional deficit to a significant degree.
- Nutritional supplements or enteral feeding are required.
- Significant disruption in psychosocial functioning
Treatment of Selective Eating Disorder
Graduated exposure therapy, also known as systematic desensitization, is frequently used in the treatment of younger children. This is a type of behavioral treatment that aims to help people overcome their fears and anxiety problems. It incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy and applied behavior analysis techniques.
The capacity to control on it is heavily influenced by the age at which symptoms appear. Seeking treatment as an adult can help you discover safer and healthier ways to cope with triggering and fear-inducing events. If you suspect your child is suffering from this type of disorder, you should immediately contact their primary care provider or a mental health specialist.