ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder)

What is ARFID?

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder is a fairly new diagnosis, devised by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013, it was previously known as selective eating disorder.

The condition is similar to anorexia, in that, it causes people to either avoid certain foods or types of food or restrict the amount that they eat or both. However unlike anorexia people with ARFID are not concerned about their weight, size or body shape.

Children can often go through stages of being fussy about certain foods and what they will and won’t eat.  However they will still consume sufficient food and nutrients for it not to have a negative effect on their physical and mental well-being.  People with ARFID however struggle to consume sufficient calories and nutrients, this can cause serious health problems in both children and adults.

Causes

Whilst it’s not specifically known what causes ARFID there are several reasons why some one might avoid or restrict their food. 

It could be that they had a bad experience whilst eating, that may have caused them to choke or vomit, become ill or suffered stomach pains.  Such an experience can cause them to develop anxiety related to eating certain types of food. 

Other people might be sensitive to the texture of certain foods, how it smells or tastes or what it looks like or how hot or cold it is.

Some people are not always aware that they are hungry or struggle with a poor appetite.  Eating for them is not pleasurable and becomes a chore as they find it hard to eat sufficient amounts and eating becomes a source of anxiety.

Because of the variety of reasons and symptoms for ARFID it can present in different ways with different people, but they will always have the food avoidance and restriction symptoms in common.  

People are more likely to suffer from ARFID if they were fussy eaters as children and never grew out of it, are on the autism spectrum, have ADHD or learning disabilities.    

Physical Symptoms

• Stalled weight gain in children
• Reduced vertical growth in children
• Stomach cramps
• Dizziness or fainting
• Poor sleep
• Feeling cold all the time
• Dry skin/brittle nails
• Poor wound healing
• Impaired Immune function
• Muscle weakness
• Menstrual problems
• Thinning of head hair or fine growth of body hair
• Slow heart rate
• Feet swelling
• Low thyroid or iron levels

Psychological Symptoms

• Weight loss
• Lack of appetite or interest in food
• Fear of choking or vomiting

Behavioural Changes

• Dressing in layered clothing to hide weight loss
• Not wanting to eat in public places
• Having to wear more clothes even in warm weather to keep warm as you always feel cold

Professional Health

You should seek help form your doctor, who can check if you require any nutritional supplements and refer you to a dietician.  They might also prescribe medication for anxiety and to help improve your appetite.  You would also benefit from psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy which can be tailored to your particular symptoms.  Written by Jan Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free information click above link.