The DSM-5 (a manual that lists all psychiatric diagnoses, which medical professionals use) states that “avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder involving an extreme avoidance or low intake of food that affects growth and level of nutrients a patient receives.” My 15-year-old son has struggled with this for many years, but we just recently realized it was getting bad enough that he needed formal treatment.
He has many oral aversions, a severe gag reflex, and in addition, has over 20 food allergies. This makes it difficult for him to eat.
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