Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is
an eating disorder similar to anorexia
. Both conditions involve intense restrictions on the amount of food and types of foods you eat.
Is ARFID a mental illness?
ARFID is a
new addition to DSM-5
, the official list of psychiatric diagnoses. It had been known as feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood, or eating disorder, not otherwise specified.
What are the symptoms of ARFID?
- Sudden refusal to eat foods. A person with ARFID may no longer eat food that that ate previously.
- Fear of choking or vomiting. …
- No appetite for no known reason. …
- Very slow eating. …
- Difficulty eating meals with family or friends. …
- No longer gaining weight. …
- Losing weight. …
- No growth or delayed growth.
What causes ARFID?
At times, ARFID can be triggered by
a specific event or fear that arises
, such as a fear of vomiting or choking. At times this will have been triggered by a specific choking or vomiting incident, but it can also arise when someone sees a person vomit and becomes intensely anxious about this happening to them.
Is ARFID serious?
ARFID
can cause serious health issues
. One of the most common results of ARFID is significant weight loss, or failure to gain weight and grow, for those who should be in a growth spurt. Significant levels of nutritional deficiency may require higher levels of care for medical stabilization.
What happens if ARFID is left untreated?
Some of the other complications associated with ARFID include
malnutrition
, weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, developmental delays, gastrointestinal problems, stalled or stunted weight gain and growth (in children), co-occurring anxiety disorders, and problems with socializing.
What is the treatment for ARFID?
There are no medications for treating ARFID
. But if your child has depression or anxiety as well as ARFID, there are some medications that can help with these conditions. Your doctor or dietitian might prescribe nutritional supplements if your child has nutritional deficiencies.
Anxiety
.
Anxiety
can be another cause of ARFID, specifically in patients who experience anxiety or fear around eating. They may avoid eating out of fear that they will choke, vomit or even die if they eat certain foods
[ 5 ]
.
How do you treat ARFID at home?
- Start small. The desire to have your child increase their preferred food repertoire is often so strong that the risk of pushing too hard too fast is great. …
- Stick with it. Exposures are not easy. …
- Keep new foods in the rotation. …
- Include your child. …
- Take care of yourself.
Connection Between ARFID and Autism
ARFID is a pattern of eating that
is common in individuals with autism
and is combined with sensory sensitivity. Researchers have found links between autism and eating disorders, especially in thinking profiles [6].
How common is ARFID?
Rates of ARFID are
between 5% and 14% in pediatric inpatient ED programs
and up to 22.5% in a pediatric eating disorder day treatment program. Prevalence in the general population is not known.
How do I know if my child has ARFID?
- Avoiding or refusing an entire category of food, like fruits and veggies.
- Only eating particular brands.
- Only eating foods with certain textures.
- Preferring foods with carbs.
- Not eating what the rest of the family eats.
How do you treat a child with ARFID?
Treatment approaches for ARFID can include a
combination of medical nutrition therapy, behavioral interventions, psychotherapy, family-based treatment, and medication management
. Families play an important role in helping a child to recover from ARFID and are in no way to blame for this complex feeding disorder.
Does ADHD cause ARFID?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has proven connections to various feeding and eating disorders, including ARFID.
Can ARFID be developed?
People with autism spectrum conditions are
much more likely to develop ARFID
, with one study finding that 20% of children with ARFID have an autism spectrum disorder. Children who don’t outgrow normal picky eating, or in whom picky eating is severe, appear to be more likely to develop ARFID.
How do I get diagnosed with ARFID?
ARFID
is usually
diagnosed
by a Paediatrician or Psychologist and a referral to either of these services can be made through your GP.
