Picky eating?

ARFID

Are you

Aware?

or ARFID?

What is ARFID?

ARFID?

ARFID stands for Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It’s an eating disorder added to the DSM-5 in 2013. It can affect children, teenagers and adults, with different experiences and support needs at every age. Food avoidance may relate to sensory sensitivities, fear of unpleasant consequences, or little interest in eating. The resulting difficulties can affect nutrition, everyday routines and social situations involving food. Understanding these experiences is an important first step towards recognising when additional support may be helpful. Everyone deserves to have their difficulties taken seriously and approached with patience, understanding and compassion.

What are the symptoms?

ARFID displays itself as an extremely limited diet (restricted to a very low number of “safe foods”), a lack of willingness to eat, or both. Experiences vary: some people struggle with particular textures, tastes or smells, while others fear choking or vomiting, or have little appetite. “Willingness” here should not be understood as a simple choice; eating may feel genuinely difficult or distressing. Signs can also include nutritional difficulties or interference with everyday life. A limited diet alone does not establish a diagnosis, and professional assessment can help clarify the underlying difficulties.

That sounds like picky eating. Is it?

Absolutely not. Picky eating is often grown out of and is an actively made choice, while ARFID can be seen in children and adults alike and continues unless treated. However, picky eating is not always a conscious choice, and individual experiences vary. The important distinction is the impact: ARFID involves eating difficulties associated with significant nutritional, physical or social consequences. It deserves understanding rather than blame or pressure. A qualified professional can help distinguish ordinary food preferences from difficulties that need assessment and support. All ‘picky’ eating habits need to be carefully monitored to check if there may be signs of ARFID.

How do I know if it’s ARFID or not?

A common litmus test is whether food will be eaten given no other choice. People with ARFID will often still refuse to eat food that isn’t “safe”, or will display physical reactions when ingesting it. However, this is not a reliable diagnostic test, and withholding familiar foods should not be used to test someone. Assessment considers eating patterns, nutritional needs, daily functioning and other possible explanations. A qualified healthcare professional can explore these concerns sensitively and help identify appropriate support without forcing food or dismissing distress. As a first step, the National Eating Disorder Organization has a self-screening for eating disorders, ARFID being among the potential prognoses. Take it below: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool/

What can I do about ARFID?

Help is always available. There are always times when ARFID seems difficult; it can be dismissed, ridiculed and doubted. However, hope isn’t lost. Psychologists have developed treatment methods that resolve or largely alleviate ARFID. These psychologists are experts specifically on ARFID, dedicating their work to its study. The NEDA has many free support groups one can come to for solidarity. I know from experience; As a former ARFID patient myself, I see the progress that has been made. It’s always possible to break out of the block, and while there may be some doubt as to how one would even go about doing that, I hope this website is exactly the place you need to find the right help.

USEFUL INFORMATION

A short list of resources with more detailed descriptions and next steps for ARFID; a proverbial foot in the door for the other resources listed on the main section.

    • The Picky Eater’s Recovery Book: Overcoming Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is a book detailing at-home identification and treatment for adults.

    • Jennifer J. Thomas, Kamryn T. Eddy and Kendra R. Becker have written a number of works on ARFID. One of them is the aforementioned The Picky Eater’s Recovery Book: Overcoming Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

    • Thomas and Eddy have also published an academic paper on cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ARFID. It can be found in the main resources section.

    • Felix Economakis is a well-revered psychologist specializing in ARFID. His work has helped 7000 patients, children and adults alike. His website detailing his work can be found at https://felixeconomakis.com/

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