Is this an ED or another medical problem

[bluebellscorner]

I have name changed for this post.

Basically I only want to eat one particular frozen vegetable, straight from the freezer. I eat it frozen. This has been going on for about two years now. Husband and children find my eating habits very odd, and don't really want to see me eat this as they find it horrific to watch (can't blame them). I eat alone but I still cook for my family and join them for dinner about 50% of the time and nibble on some of the food, just to take part.

I have lost interest in most other foods, although I will have some on occasion for social reasons. I still really enjoy coffee.

My weight has not changed since my strange eating habits started (BMI around 18.5 which is within the healthy range). I am anaemic and have been since before this started.

What is wrong with me? Is this an eating disorder? I've never been a particularly picky eater and this came out of nowhere. I don't want to go to the gp unarmed, so to speak. I would like to have an idea about the different things which might be ceasing this. Any help would be very much appreciated

*causing not ceasing - apologies!

I think it all depends on the reasons behind the unusual eating behaviours? Anorexia for example is defined by having an extreme fear of weight gain plus body dysmorphia (so believing you look overweight when in fact you are underweight). Do you have either of these things? There is a category called EDNOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified) which your eating behaviours might come under. But I would still say it comes back to what underlying beliefs are driving the behaviours. Why do you think your eating changed 2 years ago?

Are you saying that you eat this one frozen vegetable and only that? You eat no other food as part of your daily diet? It sounds very much like you could be suffering from ARFID which is indeed a type of eating disorder based on avoidance of certain foods, or refusal to eat any type of food based on a negative response to certain foods based on their smell / taste / texture etc.

I think the first thing you will be asked is what happened prior to you beginning to eat this way.

There is therapy available for those suffering with ARFID - but the first step is absolutely to contact your GP as it's no joke. I'm sorry you're living this way, but you need some help and it sounds like you're willing to get it, which is the first step.

It depends on the emotions you feel around other foods- but it could be something like arfid

I've worked in ED including ARFID for a long time and this is an unusual presentation. I would want to exclude any underlying deficiencies or illness, and examine the history of the time of onset (any bereavements or traumas). The main thing is what do you want to do about it. Get thee to the GP and good luck.