ED Deep Dive #4: Pica and ARFID
The next two disorders are known as pica and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), both of which involve strict self-limitations on the types of food that one feels comfortable consuming. An individual may have developed aversions to specific foods based on the food’s appearance, smell, texture, taste, or other sensory reaction.
The dangers of these two eating disorders include severe nutritional deficiencies that can affect every organ system in the body.
Keep reading for more information about these two eating disorders.
Pica
Pica is an eating disorder that involves consuming items that are not commonly considered food and thus have little to no nutritional value. People with pica may consume:
paper
hair
dirt
paint chips
chalk
gum
ice
pebbles
string
Pica can only be diagnosed in a clinical setting after discussion with a mental health professional. Pica cannot be diagnosed by laboratory tests; however, patients with pica should be tested for nutritional deficiencies, anemia, and possible toxic side effects of consuming some of the items above, like paint chips.
*NOTE - Pica is typically not diagnosed in children/infants under 2 years old who are likely to put non-food items in their mouths, or in expectant mothers who may experience cravings for non-food items. If the symptoms above persist for more than one month, please see a medical professional.
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new category of eating disorders, first appearing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) in 2013.
ARFID involves limiting the amount and/or types of food that someone consumes, but, unlike some other eating disorders, the reason is not necessarily out of fear of gaining weight.
People who are diagnosed with ARFID may experience the following:
Lack of interest in or avoiding eating certain types of foods due to the sensory aspects of foods, such as taste, texture, smell, etc.
Concern about adverse reactions from eating certain foods, so avoiding them altogether
A limited range of preferred foods that may become more narrow over time
By avoiding specific foods and only allowing themselves to eat foods they’ve deemed “safe”, people who struggle with ARFID may face nutritional deficiencies that can lead to gastrointestinal distress, menstrual irregularities (for those who present as female), abnormal blood levels for certain vitamins and minerals, and overall slowed metabolism.
NOTE: ARFID can be confused with “picky eating”—which can be a common issue for growing children—but ARFID symptoms extend beyond picky eating and often persist into adulthood.
Why do people develop ARFID?
ARFID can emerge for a variety of reasons, such as early childhood trauma around food, the presence of a co-existing mood disorder like anxiety or depression, and/or co-occurring symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
To dive even deeper into the characteristics, side effects, and treatment options for ARFID, click here.
For more information about the signs, symptoms, and side effects of these disorders, click here.
