A schoolboy spent more than a decade living off nothing more than white bread and Munch Bunch yoghurts before being diagnosed with a food phobia.
Ashton Fisher, 12, from Norfolk, would become scared and tearful if he was fed anything other than Warburtons sliced white bread and strawberry and banana Munch Bunch yoghurts.
In July he was diagnosed with an Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), which his civil servant mother Cara, 49, believes might have been triggered by having reflux as a baby.
Ashton Fisher, 12, from Norfolk, would become scared and tearful if he was fed anything other than Warburtons sliced white bread and strawberry and banana Munch Bunch yoghurts.
Parents Cara and James were worried about their son’s lack of nutrients but said he wasn’t able to eat anything else. Pictured, Ashton with his parents and brothers Oliver and Tom
After spending time with a psychologist, Aston has started to introduce more food into his diet, including sandwiches, roast dinners and McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. Pictured, Ashton eating a yoghurt (left) and a roast dinner after seeing the psychologist (right)
After spending time with a psychologist, Aston has started to introduce more food into his diet, including sandwiches, roast dinners and McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.
Cara, who is married to husband James, 52, said: ‘We’ve been so worried about him as he doesn’t get any of the nutrients he needs.
‘But he physically hasn’t been able to eat anything else as he’d have horrendous panic attacks.
‘We’ve never had Christmas dinner as a family as Ashton couldn’t stand the smell. It’s been a living nightmare.
Over the years, the worried parents brought Ashton to his GP but they described him as a ‘fussy’ eater.
What is avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and how does it affect people?
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is when someone avoids certain foods, limits how much they eat or does both.
Beliefs about weight or body shape are not reasons why people develop ARFID.
Possible reasons for ARFID include:
negative feelings over the smell, taste or texture of certain foodsa response to a past experience with food that was upsetting, for example, choking or being sick after eating somethingnot feeling hungry or just a lack of interest in eating
Source: NHS
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His aversion to food left Ashton feeling secluded as he wouldn’t eat at school or at parties.
Cara and James tried to help him change his habits when he was younger but her wasn’t mentally prepared and didn’t want to change.
Cara said: ‘He was referred to see a dietician which was a complete waste of time as we knew what he should be eating but he was scared to eat it. They just didn’t understand and basically said he would grow out of it.
‘Until recently, Ashton has been fine because he doesn’t know any different. But his peers in secondary school have noticed he doesn’t eat and it has become awkward for him. He doesn’t want to be different.’
The family went to see selective eating disorder specialist Felix Economakis, who is a Psychologist who uses hypnotherapy, in July 2021. He diagnosed Ashton with ARFID.
Cara adds: ‘Everything made sense when Felix told us about the condition. We always knew Ashton wasn’t just a “fussy” eater. He used to freeze when we tried to give him something else to eat. His face would fill with fear.
‘He gets through a loaf a day but he is now willing to have ham sandwiches after seeing Felix. He has also tried a roast dinner, Pringles and McDonald’s chicken nuggets.
‘Ashton looked so proud of himself for trying something new. It is still early days but things are looking good as Felix has given him the confidence to try new things. He now understands that the food isn’t going to make him vomit.’
Cara is sharing her son’s story to raise awareness of the condition.
She said: ‘It isn’t spoken about enough. It’s a shame that you have to pay for the service but doctors aren’t aware of ARFID. It is a psychological problem and the same as a phobia of spiders.
The family went to see selective eating disorder specialist Felix Economakis, who is a Psychologist who uses hypnotherapy, in July 2021. He diagnosed Ashton with ARFID. Pictured, Cara and James with his parents and his favourite foods
‘Giving a person a plate of food other than their ‘safe’ food is like giving them a plate of maggots or fish eyes, it fills them with fear and they can’t eat it. It’s a shame that hypnotherapy sessions aren’t available on the NHS.
‘ARFID is very difficult for both the sufferer and parents, but I want others to know there help out there. This condition doesn’t only affect children, adults suffer from this too and more help is needed.’
Felix said: ‘My job is all about being able to put the client at ease once they feel understood, validated and listened to.
‘Then it’s about leading their focus towards a productive goal and defusing the resistance, obstacles, wrong information in the way.
‘I anticipate the usual objections and so can pre-empt them.
‘People’s concerns fall into typical categories, for example, what if I gag or throw up or what if I don’t like the taste of new food.
‘By having answers prepared it’s very easy to reassure them quickly by proving how gagging can be stopped or how to cope with new tastes.’
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