Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Most kids go through a picky eating phase. But for kids with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, what may have started as a phase or as a result of trauma becomes a pattern of behavior that can lead to malnutrition.
UVA Health Children’s eating disorder interdisciplinary team can help these kids, and their families, develop a better understanding of their relationship with food — as well as how to repair it.
What Is ARFID?
Our understanding of ARFID is relatively new. But the patterns of behavior it describes are not.
Kids with ARFID restrict or avoid food because they may be very sensitive to how food feels, smells, looks, or tastes. They may be afraid something bad will happen if they eat certain foods, like choking, throwing up, or feeling bad. They may also not be very interested in eating.
What makes ARFID different from many other eating disorders is that it’s not related to weight or self-image.
ARFID Symptoms
- Weight loss or failure to make expected gains in children and adolescents
- Lack of energy
- Heart rhythm changes
- Fainting
- Stomach pains
If you’re someone who loves a person with ARFID, you may notice patterns of behavior as well. Some people experience ARFID as an intense anxiety. Others try to avoid social scenarios where they may be expected to eat.
Diagnosing ARFID
Your child’s provider will talk to you and your child to rule out other causes. Sometimes, kids develop what appears to be ARFID due to food allergies or a medical condition.
They’ll also help identify any nutritional needs not being met by your child’s current diet.
A physical exam will help identify any health concerns being caused by, or leading to, their diet.
Treating ARFID
The cornerstone of your child’s ARFID treatment will usually be cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps people examine their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings.
CBT for ARFID (CBT-AR) is a type of therapy that helps people slowly try new foods and feel less scared or worried about eating. It works well for older kids, teenagers, and adults.
CBT can help kids with ARFID:
- Learn about ARFID
- Examine fear and discomfort that makes eating hard
- Help them eat enough with support of their family
- Explore sensory needs and learn strategies to face their fears
Family-Based Care
Treatment for ARFID is most effective when the entire family understands and participates. We’ll help coach you on helpful ways to encourage eating as well as not helpful ones. We’ll also help your family understand what your child is experiencing.
Meeting Current Nutritional Needs
ARFID treatment can take time, but you don’t want your child to stay malnourished during treatment. We’ll work together to find options that meet your child’s recovery goals and nutritional needs.
