Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Yo ask what helped with afrid?

33 replies

Newchangee · 22/09/2026 18:12

My 11 year old daughter has AFRID which is basically an eating problem where she only eats certain foods and gets upset even looking at foods not on her safe list. I am fed up of the NHS. They have done nothing to help her, they keep asking for forms and then do nothing. The mental health practitioner has told me he can tell she has ADHD and Austism but does nothing to address her eating. I’m fed up.

I saw on social media a hypnotherapist who specialises in this but I’m worried as DH is saying no as it will mess her up, I’m so lost. Her life is already impacted as she doesn’t get invited to things as she will get upset seeing certain foods (pizza, ketchup, any sauce of any kind). She eats only plain pasta, plain rice, fridge raiders, crisps and biscuits. Sometimes toast with tiny bit of butter.

OP posts:
24Dogcuddler · 22/09/2026 18:58

Our daughter was seen by the Birmingham Food Refusal Service as part of a documentary we were involved in.
Any information or books by Dr Gillian Harris or Dr Liz Shea are highly recommended.

This book is dedicated to our daughter

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autistic-Teens-Avoidant-Eating-Workbook/dp/1787758591

Shouldbedoing · 22/09/2026 18:56

An ARFID support group on FB has been helpful in understanding and supporting my DC.
BTW DC had hypnotherapy at age 8 - the youngest recommended age. It worked for a week! Things got worse but with maturity, now aged 16, DC is open to trying things occasionally.
No pressure is the key.

HollyhocksandPeons · 22/09/2026 18:49

Nothing you can do.

Hollowvoice · 22/09/2026 18:47

There really isn't anything to do except give the safe food and embrace anything they do decide they want to try

Isittimeformynapyet · 22/09/2026 18:44

I think it's called ARFID rather than AFRID.

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 22/09/2026 18:18

My dd is 21 and has had afrid since a small child. I tried not to sweat it, and allowed her control over her eating, more as she got older. She has slowly become more adventurous as time goes on, but some foods/ situations are still unsafe. Her biggest fear is fruit, it became a phobia after nursery tried to force her to eat it- until then she would eat dried fruit and fruit juice. Now she has to leave a room if someone has a banana. So trying to force it definitely makes it worse!

Motomum23 · 22/09/2026 18:17

Does she get upset seeing it or just if its suggested that she eats it?? (Genuine question). My DS has AFRID - his diet is chicken goujons, a certain brand of chips, fridge raiders and white rice/plain pasta.
Once a week I pop something different on his plate with the option to eat it or leave it... probably once every six months he might give something unusual a taste or a lick - mostly it doesn't help but I cant stress over it. He is otherwise healthy.

CrazyCatLady2026 · 22/09/2026 18:13

There isn't really anything you can do. Its a sensory thing so you would need occupational therapy. But really afrid is afrid. There's no magic wand.

Swipe left for the next trending thread