When Eating Isn’t Easy: Living With ARFID, OCD, and the Quiet Shame of Being Misunderstood

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a part of my mental health journey I’ve never shared in full—what it’s actually been like living with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and OCD in a world that treats eating like it should be effortless.From being labeled a “picky eater” as a kid to navigating food anxiety, sensory overwhelm, and shame as an adult, this episode names the invisible stress so many people carry quietly. I talk about the social pressure around food, the textures and smells that can send me spiraling, and how therapy and medication have helped me find grounding and compassion instead of constant self-blame.In this episode, I share:What it’s like growing up misunderstood around foodThe social and emotional toll of food anxiety and sensory overwhelmHow shame shows up when your experience doesn’t match the normThe role therapy and medication have played in my healingWhy being honest about this matters—for me and for othersIf you’ve ever felt alone, embarrassed, or exhausted by your relationship with food, this episode is a reminder that you’re not broken—and you’re not the only one.This is the start of something more. More honesty. More connection. More healing out loud.And if your experience has been minimized or misunderstood, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone—and a lot more human.Support the showIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman in your life who's been in a quiet season and needs to hear that it counts as growth too. And if you haven't left a rating yet — it takes 30 seconds and means everything. Let's keep building this together.💜`If this conversation sparked something for you and you’re ready for deeper support, I work with high-achieving women, creatives, and founders through individual therapy—supporting you in building a life and relationships that feel steady, connected, and aligned. And if you’re craving clarity around your brand, message, or how you’re showing up publicly, The Visibility Studio is my 90-minute marketing mentorship session designed to help you cut through the noise and build a strategy that actually feels like you.You can learn more about my services at https://www.jazzmynproctor.com/