After flare-ups, IBD patients may have memories of certain foods causing more abdominal pain and trips to the bathroom, or just general discomfort after eating. This may last well after surgery and fears may develop around certain foods. As a result, IBD patients may sometimes develop a condition called Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), in which signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) are manifested around food that is believed to cause harm. Even after surgery, when the disease is in remission, patients with ARFID avoid these foods rather than focusing on reintroducing foods and opening up their diets safely.
Finding Help For Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
ARFID most often requires intervention by a mental health professional trained in gastrointestinal conditions to help unlearn these eating patterns and confront fears around particular foods. It may also require the involvement of a registered dietitian who can help patients to reintegrate foods slowly and safely into their diet.
To find a GI-trained psychologist and/or registered dietitian to work with, please click the button below.
Written by Tina Aswani Omprakash. Medically reviewed and validated by Jordan Axelrad, MD, MPH. These webpages are funded by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
Latest News:
Do you speak stoma?April 4, 2024 - 2:32 pm
Why Larry David’s “Colostomy Bag” Curb episode is making me speak out about my ostomy after 48 yearsMarch 28, 2024 - 10:43 am
Osmani Gonzalez’s StoryMarch 12, 2024 - 12:20 pm
Ostomy Advocates Taking Action in Washington, DC for Digestive DiseasesMarch 8, 2024 - 4:14 pm
Sexual well-being and intimacy after ostomy surgeryFebruary 22, 2024 - 4:02 pm
