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Restrictive eating disorder

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"Feeding and Eating Disorders"[MeSH Terms] AND restrictive

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restrictive eating disorder anorexia ARFID warning signs treatment NHS

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https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviour…

A restrictive eating disorder involves persistently limiting food intake enough to impair physical health, growth, nutrition, or daily functioning.
Common types include:
  • Anorexia nervosa: restriction driven by fear of weight gain, body-image concerns, and often significantly low weight.
  • ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder): restriction not driven by weight or shape concerns. It may relate to sensory aversion to food textures or smells, fear of choking/vomiting, low appetite, or little interest in eating.
  • OSFED: clinically serious restrictive symptoms that do not fit every criterion for a specific diagnosis.
The distinction matters because ARFID and anorexia can both cause malnutrition, but the underlying fears and treatment approach may differ. Goldman-Cecil Medicine describes anorexia as caloric restriction with intense weight-gain fear and body-weight/shape overconcern, whereas ARFID involves major restriction without those body-image concerns. Goldman-Cecil Medicine, p. 2362.
Possible warning signs: ongoing weight loss or failure to grow, dizziness/fainting, feeling cold or exhausted, missed periods or delayed puberty, eating very slowly or avoiding meals with others, rigid food routines, and nutritional deficiencies. The NHS overview advises seeking assessment as soon as possible.
Get urgent medical care today for fainting, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, dehydration, inability to keep food/fluids down, or a racing/irregular heartbeat. Restriction can affect electrolytes and heart rhythm even when a person does not appear underweight.
Assessment and treatment usually involve a clinician or eating-disorder team, a dietitian, and psychological therapy. For young people, family-based approaches are commonly used; ARFID treatment may include nutritional rehabilitation and gradual, supported exposure to feared or avoided foods.
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