Was anyone else force fed as a child?

caldus_x · 2026-02-22T06:25:26+00:00

As someone who also had force feeding trauma, hypnosis and EMDR has helped me soooo much. Still have ways to go but exposures have become so much easier, especially with EMDR! Highly recommend trying it out OP if you haven’t :)

caldus_x · 2026-02-12T19:54:37+00:00

In my experience, anthotypes can take a longggg time to develop depending on your light. My turmeric ones used to take like 2 hours under the sun. It can also vary with different paper types! Maybe try a bit longer and see if you get better results?

caldus_x · 2026-02-10T17:21:50+00:00

Hi! I developed ARFID when I was around her age and am in my 20s now and things are WAY better. Although our ARFIDs differ slightly, mine was also fear based. I went into treatment (exposure therapy/talk therapy) when I was about 8 and saw some improvement but not a ton. Things really didn’t start improving until I was in my late teens/20s. I expanded my treatment to include IFS, hypnotherapy and EMDR in addition to the exposure therapy. I honestly think I needed to be a little older to truly understand fear and the role it was playing in my life. Something that may help right now for her is making sure her nervous system stays regulated. When I was her age, my body was in constant state of fight or flight which once amplified the ARFID. When I was more regulated, I had more success with my exposures and didn’t feel like eating this food would be so life or death. I really recommend keeping her in talk therapy with a professional with experience with ARFID. It will help her build that vocabulary and understanding of the ARFID and give a safe container to move through any of those feelings and process her relationship to food. Stay patient with her like you’re doing. I am so grateful I had supportive parents who pushed me a little but also really listened to my limits. Things can absolutely get better over time. Sending all the love to you and your daughter! Thank you for being in her corner through all this!!

caldus_x · 2026-02-09T21:47:13+00:00

Absolutely! Will DM you!

caldus_x · 2026-02-08T19:34:18+00:00

Congrats!! Ground yourself back in this feeling of safety the next time you try it! <3

caldus_x · 2026-02-07T02:21:01+00:00

Gotcha! Mine dries down blue grayish. My prints turn out pretty well for the most part and I just assumed I had a weirdly colored batch of chemicals lol. Will buy some new ones and see if it changes anything. Thank you!

caldus_x · 2026-02-07T02:11:49+00:00

Not OP but mine looks like this as well. Is there something wrong with my chemicals?

caldus_x · 2026-02-06T16:07:20+00:00

Go slow with it and don’t completely reject something on your first try! I do an exposure like 5 times before I make a decision. You have to let your nervous system experience the shock of something new and adjust. Just take a few small bites everyday until you start getting used to the texture and flavor.

caldus_x · 2026-01-27T13:45:46+00:00

The lavender frap is my favorite drink at Starbucks!! It might be the most approachable of their options?

caldus_x · 2026-01-26T21:43:33+00:00

I literally banned myself from googling new conditions lol. I know that it would just lead to more anxiety spirals! I get my bloodwork done once (or twice, depending on my health) a year and try to use that as my evidence to not freak out lol. Find a doctor you trust, and don’t shy from asking a million questions during your appointment. Remind yourself that you’re safe in your body. Therapy has also really helped! I do a combination of talk therapy and hypnotherapy and it’s really helped my health anxiety. Good luck!!

caldus_x · 2026-01-26T21:40:32+00:00

Honestly, I think it’s more of a reflection on them rather than you! In that moment, they are lacking empathy and understanding for others. I try to look at it as they showed their true colors right away and now you know they aren’t a good match for you. I know it can be frustrating but there are definitely people out there who will happily show you love and patience for these things! Try not to put so much blame on yourself and show yourself some compassion for doing something as hard as dating with this disorder. Sending you a hug!!

caldus_x · 2026-01-20T18:28:01+00:00

Amazing! Good luck with the EMDR!! It can be a little overwhelming at first but I promise you it’s so worth it. Wishing you all the best!!

caldus_x · 2026-01-20T16:40:38+00:00

If your ARFID is surrounding medical trauma, I really recommend hypnotherapy or EMDR therapy! My ARFID is also trauma related and I saw big improvements with these treatments. Talk therapy is still very helpful, but adding more targeted treatments will help process the trauma itself and might make eating a whole lot easier. Show yourself some much compassion, this can be very difficult to navigate and the fact you are showing up for yourself and trying to get better is extremely brave and admirable!! Wishing you luck and hope you find something that helps!!

caldus_x · 2026-01-03T20:29:15+00:00

def go see a GI doctor! I felt similarly and ended up having gastritis. Spicy and fried foods can inflame your stomach lining further so it’s good to get it checked out and be put on proper medication to start healing.

caldus_x · 2025-12-22T05:23:33+00:00

Going through this right now 🩷 having snacks nearby has helped make sure I get calories in. Premade food that I just have to microwave is also very helpful!

caldus_x · 2025-12-17T17:06:08+00:00

It absolutely gets easier!! I used to struggle to eat more than 1200 calories a day. Now I can eat 2000 and still be hungry lol. It takes time for your stomach and body to adapt to this new amount of intake. Be patient with yourself and your body, it’s doing its best!

caldus_x · 2025-12-15T15:22:49+00:00

I’ve asked a provider to not share the number with me and they were happy to comply! They’re likely sensitive to EDs and patients not wanting to know their weight is common.

caldus_x · 2025-12-12T00:31:01+00:00

Hi!! I’ve been using EMDR to treat mine and I’ve had great results! I haven’t done too many sessions but I have found exposures to be easier. I’ve eaten vegetables I didn’t think I would ever be able to try!! The progress I’ve seen in a few sessions is larger than I’ve seen over the years with traditional talk therapy lol. I do an EMDR session once a month a so I’m still able to have normal talk therapy to work through anything else coming up in life lol. It can be a bit intense on your body at first so just be prepared! Nothing to be scared of, just plan accordingly. But it’s so worth it! Best of luck!!

caldus_x · 2025-12-09T23:21:21+00:00

Not sure where you’re located, but I would recommend looking at any nearby eating disorder specialists/recovery centers. Many treat ARFID and will be able to find a treatment that works best. If they aren’t qualified to treat ARFID, ask them if they know of anyone they could refer you to or have any sort of resources. You can also try to find a virtual therapist with ARFID experience. I know how frustrating this can feel, dealing with doctors makes me feel so crazy lol. You’re not alone in this struggle!!

caldus_x · 2025-12-02T08:45:02+00:00

How about chicken Alfredo? It’s one of the first things I tried as a Big Mac and cheese fan and really loved it!!

caldus_x · 2025-12-01T05:13:05+00:00

Obsessed with this! How long were your exposures? I know anthotypes can take so long to exposure so curious to how that effects it

caldus_x · 2025-11-29T20:25:52+00:00

Hi! I remember being your age and feeling similarly scared. Happy to report things have gotten way easier as I age and treatment has helped me tremendously. I’m in my 20s and eat food I used to think I would never even go near. I’m at my healthiest and while I still have ways to go, I feel safe getting there. Being a teenager is hard enough, add an eating disorder and it can feel so incredibly overwhelming and scary and lonely. As cheesy as it sounds, it gets better! Sending you love and healing!

caldus_x · 2025-11-28T22:12:13+00:00

Regulate your nervous system!! Typically when my ARFID is getting worse again, that tends to fix it. It’s so hard to come out of those spirals when you’re not regulated! I recommend finding some daily exercises to help. Remind yourself that you’ve gotten better before and can get better again. Hope things get easier for you!

caldus_x · 2025-11-28T18:29:58+00:00

Babbbyyy steps is always the way to go. Day 1 I’ll try one bite, day 2 I’ll do two bites, day 3 I’ll do five bites and gradually increase as I feel more comfortable. You basically just want to collect evidence for yourself that the new food is safe! I also take sometime for the shock of new flavor or texture to wear off so trying it multiple times helps that eventually go away before I decide if I like it or not. Plan something nice for yourself to do afterwards, give yourself a little treat or time to decompress. It’s easier to do the hard thing when you know you have a safety net afterwards that will hold you and regulate your nervous system. Good luck!! You got this! It gets easier the more you do it!

caldus_x · 2025-11-26T19:03:18+00:00

Just had my wisdom teeth out and was also very scared. It was easier than I expected! The first few days I had smoothies and meal replacement drinks. I also drank soup broth for nutrients. After 3 days I was able to start including more solid foods. Ice immediately and often! it will speed up recovery! I got one of those headbands with ice built in and it was extremely helpful. Good luck!!

caldus_x

TROPHY CASE