Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a diagnosis in the DSM-5 that was previously referred to as “Selective Eating Disorder” and is characterized by an extreme avoidance or restriction of certain foods due to food phobia (fear around food). It is similar to anorexia in that both disorders involve limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed, but unlike anorexia, ARFID does not involve distress about body shape or size, or fears of fatness. Most ARFID sufferers are aware that their food fears are irrational, but are unable to control their fears.
Although many children go through phases of picky or selective eating, a child with ARFID does not “outgrow” these phases, and significant complications with growth and development may arise. ARFID can also result in problems at school, due to nutritional deficiencies or needing extended times to eat, and social challenges, due to difficulty eating with others. They may feel outcast or avoid spending time with their peers. In adults, ARFID can cause severe lifestyle challenges, job difficulties, social relationship challenges, and complex medical issues that can significantly impact their day-to-day life.
ARFID can go without treatment or with the wrong kind of treatment for months or even years. Many feel hopeless that they will ever find relief. Traditional feeding therapy typically does not work, and there are very few individuals nationwide, even worldwide, who are trained to understand the complexities of ARFID or who can help effectively.
ARFID is a condition that affects individuals of all ages and can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Treatment for ARFID can be long and it takes the effort of the entire family for things to progress. Find out which therapy may work best for you.
We will work on identifying and increasing the volume of preferred foods with small changes to variety, setting goals to face your fears and to take small baby steps towards sequential exposure to those foods, and maintaining your newly learned eating skills.
Exposure therapy DOES NOT include force feeding or making you eat any extremely uncomfortable foods.
Relax and try new foods in a calm state without stress or pressure after determining what and why you’re seeking a change. Hypnosis allows the therapist to work with the person’s subconscious mind to bring about change.
Using targeted relaxation, or hypnosis, is best suited for patients over 10 years of age and typically results in tasting/trying undesired foods within one session.
Coaching or Q&A is an option for individuals with less severe feeding needs who simply need guidance, advice, or basic coaching. This can be a more affordable option for those needing expert assistance on your journey to better eating without intensive therapy sessions.
Book sessions as little or as much as you need to have an expert ARFID feeding coach in your corner.
ARFID can present as a variety of difficulties, and not everyone suffering from ARFID will have the same experiences.
- Avoidant ARFID: These individuals avoid certain types of foods often related to sensory features and may feel sensitive to the smell, texture, or general appearance of foods.
- Aversive ARFID: These individuals may experience fear-based reactions that can evoke a fear of choking, nausea, vomiting, pain and/or swallowing, and therefore avoid foods.
- Restrictive ARFID: These individuals may show little-to-no interest in food and may have extreme pickiness. They can forget to eat, show signs of a low appetite or get extremely distracted during mealtime.
While ARFID can be carried on into teenage years and adulthood, both children and adults can get treatment for ARFID.
- Here at Food for Thought, we know that traditional feeding therapy typically does not work for ARFID sufferers.
- We use a variety of therapeutic strategies to help you meet your goals.
- We rule out any underlying factors that may be contributing to your ARFID for increased success.
- We are working towards your goals that we will help you identify and develop throughout sessions.