Reid and Reid Ship Oneshots

Reid Has Rumination Syndrome

❤️

Rumination syndrome, or merycism, is a chronic motility disorder characterized by effortless regurgitation of most meals following consumption, due to the involuntary contraction of the muscles around the abdomen. There is no retching, nausea, heartburn, or abdominal pain associated with the regurgitation, as there is with typical vomiting.

While some only experience symptoms following some meals, most experience episodes following any ingestion, from a single bite to a large meal.
However, some long-term patients will find a select couple of food or drink items that do not trigger a response.

Spencer Reid's special non-trigger food was applesauce. It was basically the only things he ate besides the occasional bottle of water.
Only being able to stomach applesauce definitely caused Reid to look malnourished, but physically he was perfectly fine. He regularly went to check ups to have physicals and IV fluids if he needed them. So he was in no real danger.

That doesn't mean the BAU didn't have their suspicions about Reid's eating habits. When they first were introduced to him, they all noticed his tall and thin frame, but didn't say anything about it. But as the months, and eventually a year, went by, they noticed how he never ate meals at work or went out with them for team dinners. All they ever saw him eat was applesauce occasionally at his desk.

They began to worry that he was starving himself, and maybe had an eating disorder, so to possible encourage him to eat, they dragged him out to a restaurant.
He was reluctant of course, not wanting to vomit in from of his team, or in a public place. But eventually he gave in, and decided he would just refrain from eating anything.

"Are we ready to order?" A waiter ask the group, getting a notepad ready.

Hotch looked around for a moment before replying, "I think so." He said.

"I'll have the Chicken Parmesan." Morgan said, handing his menu to the waiter.

"Of course, sir. And you, ma'am?" The young man asked JJ.

"I'll just have the Caesar Salad and fruit cup." She replied, doing the same with her menu as Morgan had.

"We'll both have the Pan-Seared Steak." Hotch said, ordering for both himself and Gideon.

"And the Tomato Soup for me, thanks?" Garcia smiled.

The waiter, with a tower of menus stacked under his arm, looked to Reid for his order. So did everyone else, wonder if he'd order anything at all.

"Oh, no I'm alright." He declined politely.

"Are you sure, sir?" The waiter asked. Who would go to a restaurant and not order any food?

Reid nodded in assurance, and handed his menu to the waiter, adding to his already heavy pile.

"Alright." The boy said, walking away from their table to convey their orders to the kitchen.

"Come on, Reid." Morgan sighed, "This isn't healthy."

Reid looked slightly confused, "What do you mean?"

"You not eating anything. All you eat is applesauce, and look how skinny you are." Morgan explained.

"Morgan, I'm actually a healthy weight for my condition." Reid said, accidentally letting slip the words at the end. Now the slough of questions was to come.

"What condition?" Hotch asked before anyone else got the chance.

"I don't want to talk about it...here." Reid said quietly, obviously uncomfortable.