This week on the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Shikha Chopra, a lived experience advocate living with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) who is currently navigating pregnancy. Shikha is also autistic and is a member of the ARFID Connect lived experience advisory group, led by Cardiff University.
Her advocacy work stems from her own struggle accessing ARFID support through the NHS and her local eating disorder clinic, as well as her experience with recovery and prevention language that didn't fit how she lives with ARFID.
In this episode, we discuss:
How a traumatic episode of sickness became a turning point in Shikha's ARFID
What it felt like for Shikha to finally have a name for her struggles
How Shikha's GP supported her through her ARFID diagnosis
Gaps in NHS eating disorder treatment for adults with ARFID
How peer support groups helped Shikha find validation for her ARFID experience
Why "acceptance" fit Shikha's ARFID better than "recovery"
The link between ARFID, autism and OCD
Navigating ARFID and autism through pregnancy
Advocating for her needs during maternity care with an autism health passport
Shikha's advice for accessing support for ARFID
⚠️ Content note: this episode discusses ARFID, disordered eating, trauma, and pregnancy. Please take care while listening.
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