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

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

Author: Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT | Anxiety & OCD Specialist July 28, 2025 Duration: 32:36

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

For over fifteen years, Kimberley Quinlan has worked as a therapist specializing in anxiety and OCD, and she brings that deep clinical experience directly to each episode of Your Anxiety Toolkit-Practical Skills for Anxiety, Panic & Depression. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a place for practical, science-based skills you can use in real time. Kimberley, a licensed marriage and family therapist, breaks down the nuances of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and obsessive-compulsive patterns into understandable parts, offering tangible tools for managing difficult emotions and reclaiming your day. Recognized by The New York Times as one of "6 Podcasts to Soothe An Anxious Mind," the podcast operates on a fundamental belief: thriving is possible even while facing mental health challenges. Each conversation is a step toward that goal, focusing on actionable strategies that foster resilience. Tuning in means hearing compassionate, expert guidance that feels like a supportive conversation, all centered on the conviction that a beautiful life is within reach. This podcast serves as a reliable resource for anyone looking to move from simply coping to genuinely flourishing, with Kimberley’s steady voice offering both clarity and hope.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Your Anxiety Toolkit - Practical Skills for Anxiety, Panic & Depression
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