A SCHOOLBOY who lived off loaves of bread and Munch Bunch yoghurts for an entire decade has finally been diagnosed with a food phobia.

       Aston Fisher's diet was beginning to get a little stale - with the 12-year-old just eating white bread and yoghurts.

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       Aston Fisher lived off Munch Bunch yoghurts and pieces of white bread Credit: Caters 4

       The kid would only eat specific kinds of food - including yoghurt Credit: Caters

       His parents Cara, 49, and James, 52, tried everything to change his beige diet but it would always end in tears.

       Ashton, who lives in Norfolk, was recently diagnosed with an Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) by a psychologist who spent 90 minutes with him in July.

       After the session, the football-mad schoolboy has managed to try a roast dinner, crisps and ham sarnies.

       Cara, who is a civil servant, said: “We think Ashton’s phobia of food stems from a baby as he had reflux and this seems to be a common trigger with ARFID sufferers.

       “I don’t think he would be here today if we didn’t have Munch Bunch strawberry and banana yoghurts and Warburtons white bread.

       “We’ve been so worried about him as he doesn’t get any of the nutrients he needs.

       “But he physically hasn’t been able to eat anything else as he’d have horrendous panic attacks.

       “We’ve never had Christmas dinner as a family as Ashton couldn’t stand the smell. It’s been a living nightmare.”

       Over the years, the worried parents brought Ashton to his GP but they described him as a ‘fussy’ eater.

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       His food phobia often left Ashton feeling secluded as he wouldn’t eat at school nor parties.

       They took Ashton to see Felix when he was nine but he wasn’t mentally prepared and didn't want to change.

       But this time, it was Ashton's idea to revisit as he wants to enjoy meals with friends and join in at lunchtime at school.

       Cara said: “He was referred to see a dietician which was a complete waste of time as we knew what he should be eating but he was scared to eat it. They just didn’t understand and basically said he would grow out of it.

       "Until recently, Ashton has been fine because he doesn’t know any different.

       “But his peers in secondary school have noticed he doesn’t eat and it has become awkward for him.

       “He doesn’t want to be different.”

       The family went to see selective eating disorder specialist Felix Economakis, who is a Psychologist who uses hypnotherapy, in July 2021.

       He diagnosed Ashton with ARFID.

       Cara adds: “Everything made sense when Felix told us about the condition.

       “We always knew Ashton wasn’t just a ‘fussy’ eater.

       “He used to freeze when we tried to give him something else to eat. His face would fill with fear.

       KNOWS WHAT HE LIKES

       “He gets through a loaf a day but he is now willing to have ham sandwiches after seeing Felix.

       “He has also tried a roast dinner, Pringles and McDonald's chicken nuggets.

       “Ashton looked so proud of himself for trying something new. It is still early days but things are looking good as Felix has given him the confidence to try new things.

       “He now understands that the food isn’t going to make him vomit.”

       Cara is sharing her son’s story to raise awareness of the condition.

       She said: “It isn’t spoken about enough! It’s a shame that you have to pay for the service but doctors aren’t aware of ARFID.

       “It is a psychological problem and the same as a phobia of spiders.

       'FUSSY' EATER

       "Giving a person a plate of food other than their ‘safe’ food is like giving them a plate of maggots or fish eyes, it fills them with fear and they can’t eat it.

       “It’s a shame that hypnotherapy sessions aren’t available on the NHS.

       “ARFID is very difficult for both the sufferer and parents, but I want others to know there help out there. This condition doesn’t only affect children, adults suffer from this too and more help is needed."

       Felix said: "My job is all about being able to put the client at ease once they feel understood, validated and listened to.

       "Then it’s about leading their focus towards a productive goal and defusing the resistance, obstacles, wrong information in the way.

       "I anticipate the usual objections and so can pre-empt them.

       "People’s concerns fall into typical categories, for example, what if I gag or throw up or what if I don’t like the taste of new food.

       "By having answers prepared it’s very easy to reassure them quickly by proving how gagging can be stopped or how to cope with new tastes."

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       Ashton, who lives in Norfolk, was recently diagnosed with an Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Credit: Caters 4

       Cara, 49, and James, 52, tried everything to change his beige diet but it would always end in tears Credit: Caters

       Factory worker with ARFID food phobia who'd only ever eaten jam sandwiches cured by hypnotherapy and now loves KFC