RHOC's Emily Simpson Shares Son's Struggle with Rare Eating Disorder ARFID: What It Really Feels Like

Emily Simpson Talks About Her Son's Struggle for Health

Emily revealed that Luke’s diagnosis of ARFID, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, affected the whole family. Speaking frankly about the strain, she said, "When we were deep in it, it was difficult and I probably didn't spend as much time with Keller and Annabelle as we should have." Her eldest daughter, Annabelle, confided to Emily that, despite being strong and confident, she felt neglected during this period.

Emily described how daily life changed. Addressing Luke’s needs became a major focus for both parents. “Shane and I were deeply involved in addressing Luke's needs as a parent. It was incredibly overwhelming for us,” she stated. Emily also explained how the experience impacted Luke’s twin brother, Keller. The celebrity ultimately decided to enroll both Keller and Annabelle in therapy, realizing just how much Luke’s struggles had echoed through the family.

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What Is ARFID and What Does It Feel Like?

ARFID is short for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It's more than being a finicky eater. Individuals with ARFID avoid a lot of foods due to their appearance, smell, taste, or texture in the mouth.

For the person with ARFID:

• It might feel scary or overwhelming to eat
• Some foods with specific textures, such as mushy or slimy, can be frightening
• Meals consist of only a very short list of "safe" foods
• Social eating situations can be stressful or even avoided
• There may be no body image concern, as in other eating disorders

Children may be so limited in their diet, sometimes only a few foods. It can cause nutritional issues or weight gain problems. Parents become anxious because their child won't eat "normally" and perhaps falls behind in physical progress or health development.

As per a study in Current Psychiatry Reports, ARFID is increasingly being recognized as a severe eating disorder. The disease usually starts in childhood and leads to long-term issues if not treated early. Children and adolescents with ARFID struggle with nutritional deficiencies, distress during mealtimes, and social impairment. Early identification and support are essential 

ARFID Treatment

To manage ARFID, the family worked with specialists, kept safe foods ready at all times, avoided putting pressure on Luke, and slowly introduced new foods without forcing him. Treating ARFID often requires a team-based approach. Emily and her family worked closely with specialists, including therapists and feeding experts.

Common treatments for ARFID include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps children manage anxiety around food and slowly build comfort with new foods.
• Nutritional Support: Dietitians can create balanced meal plans using “safe foods” the child already tolerates.
• Family-Based Therapy: Involves all family members to support the child and reduce pressure around mealtimes.
• Gradual Exposure Therapy: Slowly introducing new textures or smells in a non-stressful way.
• Supportive School Environments: Teachers and caregivers may need guidance to handle the child’s eating needs.

Conclusion

Emily Simpson's tale brings attention to an illness most people have never heard of. ARFID is real, emotional, and hard, for children and their families. With greater awareness and knowledge, we can build safer, more accepting environments for children like Keller. And it starts with listening, learning, and being compassionate.