Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Options for Treatment

Young girl alone in park, face close up. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, more easily referred to as ARFID, has existed for quite some time but was not referred to as such until the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness was released in its 5th edition in 2013. Researchers and professionals in the field considered what was missing in eating disorder diagnoses and created [...]
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Self-Soothing Painful Emotions in Eating Disorder Recovery

Woman The ability to tolerate emotional distress be self-soothing is a skill known as “Emotion Regulation,” which is defined as “the process whereby an individual shapes which emotions they have, when they have the emotion and how they experience and express the emotion [1].” Research indicates that individuals with eating disorders struggle with the ability to [...]
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Assertive Communication in Binge Eating Disorder Recovery

Lady working with therapist with Body Awareness Therapy Regardless of who you are, lack of effective communication is an opening for trouble. This trouble is compounded for those in recovery from Binge Eating Disorder (BED), as the effective and assertive communication of thoughts, feelings, and boundaries is key to coordinating continued treatment, support, and needs. Assertive Communication with Treatment Professionals Developing the ability to [...]
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Pandemic and Returning to Hybrid School Dealing with Social Anxiety

Woman thinks about Effective Anorexia Treatment Of all of the adjustments made during the pandemic, one that continues to be incredibly concerning is the adaptation of children and school symptoms to quarantine, social distancing, and, now, hybrid schooling. Close to two-thirds of district leaders report their schools are doing hybrid schooling, which involves a combination of in-person and virtual learning, which [...]
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Antidepressant Use & Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Anorexia

Woman getting away from work and enjoying the sunshine While holding hope for the possibility of eating disorder recovery is important, it is also necessary to acknowledge that not everyone experiences full eating disorder recovery. 20 to 30% of individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa will have a severe and enduring form [1]. Researchers are attempting to reduce this number by constantly exploring new treatment modalities. One [...]
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Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Diabetes Treated with ACT

Woman in straw hat Type 1 (T1) diabetes is a medical condition that affects someone’s endocrine system [1]. Diabetes causes someone’s immune system to attack some of the cells in someone’s pancreas. This then impacts their ability to produce insulin [1]. If diabetes is left untreated, it can be deadly [1]. To keep themselves alive and healthy, people with [...]
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Top 5 ARFID Questions Answered

Child struggling with ARFID Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a lesser-known eating disorder diagnosis that is no less serious than the more commonly-known Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder. Supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment of this disorder can be achieved by increasing awareness and understanding of signs and symptoms. What is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder? Criteria in [...]
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