Eating disorders
Aitch Nicol and Hazel Bryce reflect on how a multidisciplinary , integrated therapeutic approach , using group learning , has contributed to improved eating behaviours and increased wellbeing for people with AFRID taking part in a pilot support group .
Eating disorders
Feature
More than just the behavioural and nutritional aspects of eating
Aitch Nicol and Hazel Bryce reflect on how a multidisciplinary , integrated therapeutic approach , using group learning , has contributed to improved eating behaviours and increased wellbeing for people with AFRID taking part in a pilot support group .
A voidant restrictive food intake disorder ( ARFID ) is a recent eating disorder diagnosis , introduced in 2013 in the ‘ Feeding and eating disorders ’ section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( fifth edition ) ( DSM-V ). It replaced EDNOS ( Eating Disorder , Not Otherwise Specified ), to provide more specific guidance for the treatment and prognosis of this particular set of eating disorder presentations .
ARFID is characterised by a person avoiding certain foods or types of food for three main reasons : fear of eating caused by one or several bad experiences ; sensory differences ; or little interest in food .
South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association ( SYEDA ), the service we work for , has been increasingly receiving referrals for people who identify with ARFID . Many of these referrals are from people who have experienced difficulty with their eating for a long time .
There are a few commissioned services designed to help people experiencing ARFID . There is an awareness of need and services are currently being developed , but the national picture is patchy at best . Many offers have a focus on children and young people , leaving adults unsupported .
Our initial response to this gap in support was to develop an online , open access , self-learning package . These materials were amended and tested for utility when SYEDA decided to provide more intensive support , by running a pilot support group .
Referrals made to the SYEDA service were followed up with an invite to participate . Criteria for the group were self-identification with , or diagnosis of , ARFID , aged over 16 , and able to participate collaboratively online .
18 OTnews February 2024