Anyone know about OCD and picky eating? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

photog · 03-09-2003, 06:15 PM

I am a 23 year old woman, vegetarian. All my life I have been a picky eater, but I am starting to think it is more than just that. I don't eat hardly any vegetables and constantly must pick at food to see what is in it. Soup, sauces, pizza..anything really.

My question is, does anyone know if there is a link between food obsessions and OCD? I have not seen it as a symptom on any list.

I think its more than just being picky because I become consumed with the thought of having eating a piece on onion, search for them, and other veggies too. I have, in the past, thrown up at the thought of having eaten a pepper, or other of a list of many foods. If I do manage to miss something, I have to spit it out, or gag. Then I lose all appetite. I eat mostly carbohydrate rich foods, like fries and pasta, and beans, because they are "safe" foods.

My boyfriend has OCD, and has been telling me that I too, may have it. I have searched the web for info relating food and OCD and have found nothing.

He tells me I have other symptoms, like constantly checking appliances to see if they are on, even if I have not used them all day.

Any advice or direction? Thanks and I hope someone can help.

nuzzler · 03-10-2003, 04:57 PM

I have had ocd prob. since 4, I was always a
picky eater & went on many episodes of
"only eating hot dogs" or "cereal" when I
was little.
Alas, Im 35 & mostly vegetarian too. Alot of times
the smell and/or looks of meat can gross me out.
Incidentally, I've been "chubby" when I was
in my early teens, have been anorexic since
I wass 17. I have had so many food rituals, pig out
then starve days, its not funny. I'm on Paxil
which helps alot BUT it also cuts my appetite.
I've been to many dctrs, shrinks--no one understands.
I'd be happy to talk w/you.
Nuzzler

mamisano · 03-20-2003, 07:47 AM

I am in a similar boat as you.

I do not eat any Fruits or Vegetables with the exception of Mashed Potatoes on occasion. My diet consists exclusively of breads and meats.

I also don't eat:
Seafood
Pasta
Soups
Condiments like Katsup/Mustard

I basically like my food bland or dry, no sauces of any type.

It might not have started off as an OCD, but I think at my age of 29, it is. Everything I eat has to be a certain way or I won't eat it.

I have not tried any new foods for as long as I can remember because I have a gag reflex to new foods....

*sigh* I think I need to see a psychologist!

ExpectoPatronum · 04-16-2003, 05:10 PM

well, i haven't read anything about pickyness/foods and OCD, but I could see how they can be connected in a way. but really it's more that food is filling a variable. for me, (and only sometimes when my OCD is particularly bad) some foods don't seem "right" -- the best example of this i can give is, let's say i'm eating tortilla chips. most chips are "right", and then some aren't, if that makes sense at all. my friend would ask what was wrong with that one, and i would just shrug... (it's not really that big of a problem for me, but i thought that applied to what you were saying.)

nkaiman · 04-23-2003, 09:25 AM

Wow it's pretty cool to see people similar to me. For almost as long as I can remember (I'm 20 now), I have not eaten any fruits, veggies or meat. My diet consists of dairy and carbs. It has never been a weight issue, but I dont think it falls under OCD either. I feel like it would be more of a phobia then OCD. what do you think?