More Than a Picky Eater: Understanding ARFID
- Aubry Orlino
- May 8
- 3 min read
What Is ARFID?
ARFID is not about body image or weight concerns. Unlike anorexia or bulimia, individuals with ARFID don’t restrict food to lose weight. Instead, their eating is limited due to:
Sensory sensitivities (taste, texture, smell)
Fear of choking, vomiting, or other negative experiences
Lack of interest in eating altogether
It can affect children, teens, and adults—and often flies under the radar, mistaken for simple “picky eating.”
Signs & Symptoms: When to Pay Attention
ARFID can look different in each person, but common red flags include:
Drastic limitation of foods based on textures, colors, or smells
Weight loss or failure to grow as expected
Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., low iron, vitamin deficiencies)
Dependence on nutritional supplements or formulas
Avoidance of social situations involving food
Extreme distress or anxiety when faced with unfamiliar foods
These signs often cause significant interference with daily functioning, school, work, or relationships.
Why It Matters: The Hidden Impact
ARFID isn’t just about food—it’s about quality of life. Children may miss out on birthday parties. Teens may isolate at lunchtime. Adults might struggle in work settings or avoid travel altogether due to limited food choices.
Left untreated, ARFID can lead to severe malnutrition, stunted growth, and emotional distress. But with the right help, recovery is possible.
Treatment Options: There Is Help
The good news? ARFID is treatable.
Treatment often includes a multidisciplinary approach involving:
Medical monitoring (to manage nutritional health), medication management with Remeron or Cyproheptadine for appetite stimulation. These meds can really help exposure process and weight gain.
Therapy, such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID)
Exposure therapy to gradually build comfort with feared or avoided foods
Family-based interventions, especially for younger individuals
Professional help from eating disorder specialists and dietitians.
Early intervention is key—especially before long-term patterns become ingrained.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just “Being Difficult”
ARFID isn’t a quirk or a choice—it’s a real, serious condition that needs more than “just try a bite.” It needs empathy, support, and the right kind of care.
If you or a loved one struggles with extreme food avoidance, know that you’re not alone—and help is available.
References:
Burton‐Murray, H., Becker, K. R., Breithaupt, L., Gardner, E., Dreier, M. J., Stern, C. M., Misra, M., Lawson, E. A., Ljótsson, B., Eddy, K. T., & Thomas, J. J. (2024). Cognitive‐behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: A proof‐of‐concept for mechanisms of change and target engagement. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 57(5), 1260–1267. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24126
Fisher, M. M., Rosen, D. S., Ornstein, R. M., Mammel, K. A., Katzman, D. K., Rome, E. S., Callahan, S. T., Malizio, J., Kearney, S., & Walsh, B. T. (2014). Characteristics of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A “New Disorder” in DSM-5. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(1), 49–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.11.013
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025, April 16). ARFID: Symptoms, health Risks & Treatment | NEDA. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder-arfid
Rosania, K., & Lock, J. (2020). Family-Based Treatment for a preadolescent with Avoidant/Restrictive Food intake Disorder with sensory sensitivity: a case report. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00350
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (n.d.). Table 22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Comparison - DSM-5 Changes - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t18/?utm_
Tags
Comentários