What Does ARFID Stand For?
ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is a type of eating disorder that affects both children and adults. Unlike other eating disorders that focus on weight or body image, ARFID is characterized by a persistent refusal to eat certain foods or groups of foods, or an inability to meet nutritional needs due to a lack of interest in food, or a strong aversion to certain textures, colors, or smells.
ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis; while selective eating has long been recognized as a common issue among children, ARFID was only added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013. Like many eating disorder cases, this means that many people who have experienced ARFID in the past may have gone undiagnosed.
ARFID is not the same as picky eating. While many children go through phases where they are picky eaters, ARFID is a more extreme and persistent form of selective eating that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and significant weight loss. This can cause serious health consequences. When someone with ARFID is unable to meet their nutritional needs, they may experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. Long-term nutritional deficiencies can also lead to more serious health problems, such as anemia, osteoporosis, and weakened immune system.
ARFID can be caused by a variety of factors. While the exact causes of ARFID are not yet fully understood, it may be related to sensory processing issues, anxiety or fear related to food, or traumatic experiences with food. ARFID may also co-occur with other mental health conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Treatment for ARFID typically involves a team approach. Because ARFID can have such a wide range of causes, treatment often involves a team of healthcare providers, including a dietitian, therapist, and a physician. Treatment may involve gradually reintroducing foods that have been avoided through Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, working on anxiety management techniques, and focusing on nutrition rehabilitation.
Recovery from ARFID is possible! While ARFID can be a challenging disorder to live with, many people are able to recover with the help of specialized treatment. With support from healthcare providers who specialize in eating disorders and loved ones, those suffering from ARFID can learn to develop a healthy relationship with food and improve their overall health and well-being. If you are needing some motivation for recovery at this time, check out this post!
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At Namaste Nourished we understand finding a treatment team for eating disorder recovery can feel overwhelming. We are here to make that process as smooth as possible, providing you with the proper support, guidance, nutrition education and behavior change tools to help you on a path of life that you want to experience.