Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is more than just picky eating.
ARFID is a restrictive intake/acceptance of foods but does not involve body image distress, and is similar to anorexia. A person with ARFID does not consume enough nutrition/food variety to maintain basic body function and in children can result in inability to grow/develop properly. It can also result in social isolation with an inability to consume foods that are not within the “acceptable” category.
The following are signs/symptoms of AFRID that prompt need to seek treatment:
- Anxiety when given “fear/not acceptable” foods
- Weight loss or failure to grow/develop in children
- Pickiness in choosing foods
- Depending on nutritional supplements for nutrition
- Avoidance of foods based on texture, sight, smell, taste, etc.
- Vomiting or gagging after trying a food
- Trouble chewing/swallowing foods
- Low appetite or disinterest in foods
- Small portion consumption
- Feelings of social isolation
Types of ARFID Include:
Avoidant: individuals avoid certain foods related to sensory concerns. This may include sensitivities to taste, smell, texture, or general appearance.
Restrictive: these individuals show minimal interest in food and sometimes forget to eat at all. This can include getting extremely distracted during meals and an inability or fear around focusing on food presented.
Aversive: these patients tend to experience a fear based reaction to food. This can include fears of choking, vomiting, diarrhea, germs, or a generic fear around being forced to eat.
Adult ARFID: though it may seem like ARFID would affect mostly children is can affect adults as well. Many adults still exhibit symptoms they had in adolescent years that were not treated.
ARFID “Plus”: It is common for ARFID to develop an anorexia component if patient’s start to exhibit body image concerns. This can lead to even more restrictive intake and severe medical consequences.
Why Seek Treatment for AFRID:
- Improve relationship with food
- Work towards acceptable food expansion through exposures
- Improve medical consequences that may have resulted (examples: bloating, nausea, weight loss, etc).
