UAE-based Transformation Coach explains food phobias

‘Common causes of food phobia are a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors’

Transcript

00:00Food phobia, also known as selective eating disorder or avoidant restrictive food intake

00:08disorder.

00:09It is a psychological condition characterized by an intense fear or aversion to certain

00:15food or food groups.

00:18Individuals with food phobia often have an extremely limited range of food preferences

00:23and may restrict their diet to a small number of safe or preferred foods.

00:29Unlike other eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, food phobia is not primarily driven

00:37by body image or weight concerns.

00:40Instead it is typically related to sensory sensitivities, negative past experiences with

00:46food such as choking or vomiting or anxiety surrounding the taste, texture, smell or appearance

00:54of certain foods.

00:56People with food phobia may experience significant distress and impairment in their daily lives.

01:02They may avoid social situations involving food, struggle to find suitable options when

01:09dining out or face challenges in meeting their nutritional needs.

01:14Over time this can lead to nutritional deficiencies, inadequate weight gain or weight loss and

01:22related health complications.

01:25Treatment to food phobia often involves a multidisciplinary approach including cognitive

01:31behavior therapy, which is a therapy where you catch the thought, check it, is it true

01:38and then you change it, exposure therapy and nutritional counseling.

01:43The goal to gradually expand the individual's food repertoire, increase tolerance to new

01:49foods and address any underlining psychological factors contributing to the phobia.

01:57If you or someone you know is struggling with a fear of food or experiencing significant

02:03difficulties relating to eating, it is recommended to seek professional help from a mental health

02:09provider or health care professional specializing in eating disorders.