ARFID or an eating disorder?

[Fairysocks]

DD, 12, alongside suicidal thoughts / urges and self harm has also stopped eating. She’s being assessed for autism and Adhd (runs in the family). She says she’s not hungry, but also says she feels guilty when she eats. Is insistent is not motivated by body image / losing weight. She’s always been a picky eater, but never not eaten like this. Says losing weight and we’re getting concerned. Any help appreciated.

Ds has an ARFID diagnosis. He has been pretty unwell and ARFID can be a serious ED, it's just not caused by self image.

He is also autistic and has sensory processing difficulties, anxiety and depression.

He pretty much fits every criteria for ARFID. But his eating difficulties don't have anything to do with body image or feeling guilty about eating or weight.

I would suggest you contact your GP with your concerns. Unfortunately many HCPs don't know anything about ARFID. It took us a very long time to access specialist professionals.
Although if she is saying she feels guilty about eating, it may be you need to consider a different eating disorder.

How long has she not eaten for? Have you looked at the junior marsipan criteria? If DD meets any of the red alerts you need to take her to A&E.

As Punx posted, ARFID is an ED.

Thank you. I’m wondering whether it’s coming from her OCD for her.

Am a sufferer of ARFID myself. I think ARFID is slightly different to other eating disorders in that it doesn't usually have any connection with body image, desire to self harm, guilt around eating etc. ARFID is anxiety about eating due to sensory issues around food - eg hypersensitivity to textures/tastes/smells etc.

If you think the driver is a mental health concern (eg guilt around eating) rather than a sensory one (finding a lot of food unpalatable and triggering gag reflexes etc) then it sounds very much like you are dealing with something more like anorexia. But please don't take a half-baked MN diagnosis as gospel. Please get medical help for your DD

There is good advice for parents on beateatingdisorders.org.uk. It tells you how to talk to you child about it, helplines for parents etc.
If it's disordered eating, if the person's ability to eat normally and spontaneously is affected, then it's an eating 'disorder' in some shape or So GP is the first step to getting help.