Living With “Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder": A Qualitative Phenomenological Thematic Inductive Analysis on Individuals’ Phenomena Through the Lens of Online Blogging.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively newly classified Eating Disorder (ED) with limited research which was mostly conducted on children and adolescents. There is a paucity of research involving adults, so there is little evidence to illustrate the impact of ARFID adulthood Lived Experiences (LEs). Methodology:This study employed a ‘Qualitative Phenomenological Thematic Inductive Analysis’ to explore the phenomena of ARFID LEs, through the use of a virtual digital space. The study examined 10 blogs describing Adult LEs of ARFID, 8 females and 2 males, who self-reported their story narratives on ED blogging platforms. Results: Six salient themes were pertinent to this phenomenological ARFID Lived Experience (LE) study, such as: (1) Sharing Online Personal Narratives, (2) Feelings Towards Food and Eating, (3) Awareness and Understanding of ARFID, (4) Sensory Sensitivities Towards Food, (5) Social Avoidance Whilst Eating, (6) ARFID Self-Management and Treatment. Key issues were revealed in the context of societal ignorance of ARFID e.g., social avoidance, sensory issues, and feelings towards food, but also temperature, flavour, visual impact, and odour. Conclusions/Implications:The lack of familiarity with ARFID in society adversely affected the bloggers. The narratives also revealed a notable difference between sensory Eating Disorders (EDs) (ARFID) and those of a more psychological origin (Anorexia Nervosa, and Bulimia Nervosa). Although this study strengthened the voices of sharing LEs of ARFID, any future intervention must address the impact of ARFID, the LE emotions and the ED itself to gain greater awareness of living with this disorder.