Relapse

It's been a while once again since I posted, but I felt this was relevant. I want to talk about relapse. I know this quarantine hasn't been fun for anyone. I know it has been especially tough for people that struggle with eating disorders. Quarantine has brought on relapse for many people, including myself. I'm embarrassed to say it. But I've relapsed. The signs started to show when I was on my own for a lot of meals in England. I wouldn't finish all of it or maybe I would miss breakfast once a week. I also didn't have a care team in place. Things got nasty when I had to come home from my study abroad and suddenly I was with my thoughts for most of the day. I gave my eating disorder space to breathe, let her come back into my life. Come back, she did. She came back in full force and wrecked my mental health. Now I'm going back to residential. I'm both upset and glad I reached out for help. I don't really want to get better, but I know life is better when I'm in recovery.

This isn't all about me though, I want to try to make things educational. So here are some warning signs someone is slipping into relapse:

• Therapy/nutrition sessions have stopped
• Exercise has become a necessity
• Foods are being labeled as good or bad
• Wants to eat alone/avoids eating out
• Becomes more closed off and avoids feeling emotions
• Rigid eating patterns
• Perfectionistic attitudes
• Relying on external compliments for validation

These are just a few examples of course. But look at yourself if you've struggled with an eating disorder. Are you doing any of these things? Maybe it's time to reach out and get help. If you notice a loved one doing these things make sure you're there to support them. 

What is ARFID

It's been a while since I've posted because I am now abroad in England for the semester, and I'm no longer required to write this blog for class, I am doing it on my own time.

ARFID stands for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. From my time in treatment, I met people struggling with ARFID but thought it was just picky eating. It wasn't until I did research recently that I learned it's so much more than that.

ARFID is a more recent diagnosis and unfortunately, that means there aren't a lot of specialists or research in that area. It is like anorexia in that there are limitations to the type and amount of food consumed. It differs from anorexia because ARFID is not about body image. 

According to DSM-5, ARFID is diagnosed when there's a clear lack of interest in eating, avoidance based on sensory characteristics, significant weight loss, failure to achieve expected weight gain, nutritional deficiency, dependence on oral nutritional supplements, and there is no disturbance in how the body looks.

Here's a quick list of warning signs and symptoms of ARFID:

• Dramatic weight loss
• Vague gastrointestinal issues
• Fears choking or vomiting
• Lack of interest in food
• Difficulties concentrating
• Sleep problems
• Feeling cold
• Dizziness
• Fine hair

I decided to make a blog entry about ARFID because I think it's more common than known. I wasn't formally diagnosed with ARFID during my 12 months of treatment, but after learning more about it, I've realized that my eating disorder wasn't out of the ordinary. I wasn't alone like I thought I was. There needs to be a bigger understanding of what ARFID is in the world. Of course, there are stigmas to get through about mental health in general, but more people need to understand what ARFID is and how to identify it.  

Here are a few links to learn more about ARFID

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid

https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/what-we-treat/arfid/