Selective Eating Disorder: Signs, symptoms, treatment and more

1. Selective Eating Disorder: Signs, symptoms, treatment and more

2. What is selective eating? Selective eating comes under the umbrella of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). More than 50% of eating disorders fall below the threshold for diagnosis as Anorexia or Bulimia or Binge Eating Disorder and fall into this spectrum of diagnoses. It is far more than just being a fussy eater; people with ARFID may have a phobia about certain foods, a very restricted diet, sensory aversions to certain tastes, textures or even swallowing.

3. How do I know if I have selective eating? Selective eating disorders can affect adults as well as children. Selective eaters frequently have an aversion to entire food groups such as fruits, vegetables or pulses. People with selective eating often become distressed when they are encouraged to try different foods, either because of a phobia, or fear of choking or vomiting as a result of eating it. The majority of selective eaters do not have weight issues, and are generally within the normal BMI range.

4. What are the causes and effects of selective eating? Childhood events can also trigger the problem, such as a divorce or moving house. Selective eating becomes a way of people trying to exert control over their lives. Selective eating problems can also be caused by sensory processing, and is down to the texture or feel of food in the mouth. If the condition is severe enough, the person may suffer from malnutrition with consequent physical problems such as digestive problems, electrolyte imbalances, low blood pressure and a slower heart rate.

5. Selective eating treatment Ellern Mede follows NICE guidelines which suggests Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Family Based Therapy are treatments of choice for people with eating disorders. We also employ a range of psychological approaches including motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive remediation therapy. For young people with restrictive types of eating disorder, family based therapy is an effective intervention. For people with avoidant/aversive eating disorders there is evidence from the eating recovery centre in the United States, that a treatment called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), formerly used to treat addictions or anxiety, is useful for selective eating disorder when used in combination with CBT. ERP used in combination with CBT is said to be delivering longer-term cessation of eating disorder behaviours.

6. About: Ellern Mede Ellern Mede has been providing evidence-based specialised treatment for children and young people with eating disorders since 2000. We support children and young people aged 8 to 18 years, with a full care pathway to achieve exceptional rates of recovery. In addition, Ellern Mede Barnet has a four bed ward for young adults up to 22 years transitioning from CAMHS to adult services, the community or back home.

7. Contact Information Head Office: Ellern Mede Ridgeway Holcombe Hill The Ridgeway Mill Hill London NW7 4HX Phone: +44 (0)20 3209 7900 Fax: +44 (0)20 8906 1353 Email: info@ellernmede.org Website: https://ellernmede.org/

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