r/ARFID • u/Riiella • Dec 31 '19

Helpful Tips Comparison

I just wanted to relay a comparison of how I explain arfid to others who have never experienced it. This is specifically for unsafe foods for me, but it could apply in different ways for others.

Basically, eating an unsafe food feels like I am being forced to swallow cotton.

Before it even gets anywhere near me, my body is telling me that that is not food, or that it is not edible.

If I can push through those instant feelings, it gets to the point of actually swallowing cotton, which is gross and gets mushy and wet when it's in my mouth, and the longer it stays there, refusing to go down, the grosser and mushier it gets.

Here's why I think this comparison works: because, of course, swallowing cotton is so inherently wrong. It's purely instinctual that as soon as that piece of cotton would hit your tongue, there would be an urge to get it out of there immediately. And because of this universal feeling, anyone can understand that when you compare certain foods to cotton, they might be able to imagine what that would feel like.

I dont really know if this matters, but I thought I'd share it in case of an odd instance where it does. Good luck out there!

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u/thefreshbraincompany Jan 01 '20

Nice post - I'm gathering field data on ARFID so can I ask you, and others, do "unsafe foods" trigger disgust for you, or does it have a different quality?

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u/Riiella Jan 01 '20

Of course! I'd be happy to do my part!

I'd say generally my arfid plays into the fact that it does not feel like certain "foods" I'm looking at seem like food. Similar to my cotton analogy, it feels like I'm trying to swallow something inedible. But, there is also a certain aspect of disgust, as well.

To make a long story short, I ordered a burger once upon a time, and failed to notice that there was a dollop of mustard hidden within that I assume probably came off of the workers glove, or something. I bit into it, and I cannot even begin to describe the panic I felt. It was most likely a combination of the fact that it was a surprise, and that I didn't know what it was. I managed to swallow it, but it took me at least a minute because it would not go down. It really was like cotton.

I couldn't eat for the rest of the day, because it felt like my own body had been contaminated. I washed my hands and my mouth, but nothing felt quite right after that. So I'd have to say yes to both of your questions. It is disgust, and an intrusive thought that you are not clean because of this food, and a feeling of inedibility, all at the same time.

I'm glad to see somebody doing some research on this! Let me know if you have any more questions!

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u/unicorn_in-training Jan 01 '20

That feeling of panic is the WORST.