Eating disorders are conditions marked by persistent and disturbed eating patterns. These disorders are often linked to underlying mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. One of the various types of eating disorders is avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Previously known as selective eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder symptoms can be difficult to identify as the condition is often brushed off as simply “picky eating.” Below is a guide on ARFID symptoms in adults and children to help you identify if someone’s picky eating is a sign of a more serious problem.
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), previously known as selective eating disorder, was recently added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, also known as DSM-5. ARFID is an eating disorder that’s similar to anorexia nervosa in that both disorders involve limiting the amount of food and/or the kinds of food one eats. However, unlike anorexia, ARFID does not involve distress about body shape or size nor any fear of gaining weight.
Although picky or selective eating is common among children, a person with ARFID doesn’t eat enough calories to grow and develop properly, and in adults, this means that basic bodily functions may suffer. Additionally, children with ARFID may experience stalled weight gain and vertical growth, and adults with this disorder may experience weight loss.
Due to a lack of proper development and growth, children with ARFID may struggle to perform well in school, and adults may struggle in their job or school performance. People with ARFID also struggle to eat with others and require extended periods to eat.
ARFID eating symptoms may vary widely from person to person and tend to evolve. The bulk of symptoms fall under the umbrellas of things like sensory avoidance triggers, restrictive eating habits, and fear-based eating experiences.
Some common signs and symptoms of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) include:
Behavioral and psychological:In people with ARFID, the body is denied basic nutrients needed for normal function. Thus, it’s forced to slow down all it’s processes to conserve energy, leading to various medical consequences. With that said, the body is generally resilient at coping with the stress of an eating disorder, which is why someone with ARFID may come out with perfect laboratory test results even if they’re at high risk of death.
An ARFID diagnosis is determined by the DSM-5, which is a guide doctors use to diagnose patients with mental health disorders. If a person shows signs of an avoidant eating disorder like the ones mentioned above, they would be taken to a health care professional who would use the DSM-5 to confirm their condition and provide a diagnosis.
According to the DSM-5, ARFID is diagnosed when:1
People with autism spectrum conditions are more likely to develop ARFID, as well as people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disabilities. Sensory food aversion is also linked to ARFID and occurs when a person overreacts to certain types of food based on the taste, smell, color, or texture.
Children who don’t outgrow normal picky eating or who show severe picky eating habits are also more likely to develop ARFID. Many people with ARFID also have anxiety disorders and are also more likely to develop other co-occurring mental health disorders.
People with eating disorders like ARFID can die suddenly due to electrolyte imbalance or cardiac arrest. Therefore, knowing avoidant restrictive food intake disorder symptoms and signs can equip you to catch ARFID as early as possible and find eating disorder support for the individual.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of ARFID or has developed this condition but doesn’t know where to get help, our center for eating disorders in Philadelphia is here for you. In addition to ARFID treatment, we offer various levels of care for conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and more.
With the help of a highly-qualified, experienced, and trained team of dietitians and therapists, our Philadelphia, PA, drug rehab and mental health center can aid in your healing from eating disorders. For more information about our eating disorder programs, call Banyan Treatment Center today at 888-280-4763.
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