444 ARFID or OCD? Understanding the Difference When Food Feels Scary

In this episode, Kimberley Quinlan breaks down the subtle but crucial differences between OCD, ARFID, orthorexia, and eating disorders—and how understanding these distinctions can lead to more effective, compassionate treatment.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the function behind food-related anxiety matters more than the behavior itself
• How OCD, ARFID, and orthorexia can look similar—but require very different treatment approaches
• What exposure therapy looks like for each condition (and why it must be values-led)
• The unique role disgust plays in ARFID and how to gently work through it
• How to involve family members in the recovery process without reinforcing avoidance
• Why healing doesn’t mean perfection—and how to measure progress with compassion