People with food anxiety worry about the consequences of eating a particular food.
Some have sensory differences, and are afraid of or even repulsed by a foods texture.
They may also be afraid of getting sick when eating certain foods.
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Other people with food anxiety worry about having allergic reactions or choking.
This article covers the symptoms and causes of food anxiety, as well as how its treated.
It also provides tips for coping with food anxiety if you or someone you love is dealing with it.
People with food anxiety get tense when they think about or have to decide what to eat.
When a person is having anxiety, the physiological response happens even though there is no real danger.
This pop in of anxiety often occurs in kids with sensory differences, including those with autism spectrum disorder.
Kids who have a specific phobia based on a negative experience can also develop food anxiety.
Anxiety-based feeding disorders occur whensomeone fears what could happen to them if they eat certain foodsor try new foods.
The fear is not related to body image or a drive to be thin.
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Anxiety-based feeding disorders are not the same aspicky eating.
Anxiety around eating also has a major effect on a persons mental health and daily life.
In some people with ARFID, limited food intake is due to fears around food and eating.
They may feel like they will choke or vomit when eating certain foods.
Others are simply not interested in food or don’t have much desire to eat.
Kids who struggle with trying new things in general may also develop ARFID.
It can also be challenging for people with ARFID to maintain a weight that supports their health.
It can be quite the opposite: People with ARFID are often distressed by being underweight.
Some people may need a combination of therapy and medication to help them cope with food anxiety.
Other medications can also stimulate appetite.
Antihistamines can also help people with food anxiety feel hungrier.
The boost in appetite can encourage healthy weight gain.
Sometimes, antihistamines can also have a sedating effect, which may help people feel more calm about eating.
Summary
Food anxiety can have serious physical and mental health consequences.
Sometimes, the anxiety is related to concerns about body weight or image, but not always.
A person may worry about choking on or having an allergic reaction to what they’re eating.
One may be very anxious about getting sick from eating certain foods.
Others have an aversion to the texture of a specific food.
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