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Understanding ARFID

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3 views9 pages

Understanding ARFID

Uploaded by

freelancepsychologist6
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What is ARFID?

(Clue: a lesser-known
eating disorder that’s
more than “just picky
eating.”)
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
What is ARFID?
ARFID stands for Avoidant/Restrictive Food
Intake Disorder
It’s a type of eating disorder where someone
avoids certain foods or limits how much they eat
— but not because of body image concerns.
Instead, it can be due to:
🚫 Fear of choking or vomiting
🤢 Sensory issues (texture, smell, taste)
😐 Low interest in food or eating
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
Signs of ARFID
⚠️ Common signs include:
Eating very small portions
Avoiding entire food groups
Weight loss or poor growth (in kids)
Nutritional deficiencies
Anxiety around meals
Needing supplements to meet
nutrition needs
👉 It can seriously affect health, social
life, and emotional well-being.
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
ARFID vs Picky Eating
Isn’t that just being a picky eater? Not quite.
Picky Eating: ARFID:
Common in kids Can affect all ages
Usually outgrown Persistent and intense
Doesn’t cause Can lead to serious medical

🧠a preference.
health issues problems
ARFID is a clinical diagnosis — not just
So, trying to just force
someone through this can create big
nervous system reactions
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
What Causes ARFID?
ARFID can be linked to:
🧒 Autism or ADHD
😨 Past trauma around food (like choking)
🧬 Anxiety disorders
👃 Sensory processing issues
It's not a choice or about being dramatic.
It’s a mental health condition that needs
support and understanding.
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
How is ARFID Treated?
Treatment often includes:
Support from dietitians /
nutritionists
Family-based therapy (especially
or kids)
Gradual food exposure and
desensitization sometimes
including CBT or exposure therapy
- although the use of this CAN be
controversial
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
What to do if you think you or someone
else has ARFID
Increase your understanding and seek
professional support.
Show kindness and tolerance to yourself / the
person experiencing this by understanding:
this is not trying to be difficult
this is not just being fussy or picky
there are deeper reasons behind some food
preferences
trying to work out root causes / fears around
certain food types
some days may be better or worse than others, this
doesn’t mean they are making it up!
katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
Links for Additional Info & Support:
https://www.arfidawarenessuk.org/what-is-arfid
https://eating-disorders.org.uk/information/avoidant-
restrictive-eating-disorder/
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-
illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/avoidant-
restrictive-food-intake-disorder-(arfid)
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-
information-and-support/about-eating-
disorders/types/arfid/

katsydenhamcounselling.co.uk
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