What is ARFID?
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder which is particularly complex and misunderstood, despite being included within diagnostic guidelines (DSM-5) since 2013.
It is characterised by avoidance or restriction of food intake, or both.
ARFID, in some cases, can lead to malnutrition, poor growth, distress, and reliance on nutritional supplementation.
This may be due to:
- fear of adverse consequences. such as concerns around choking of vomiting
- lack of interest or appetite, such as a low interest in eating and seeing eating as a chore
- sensory sensitivity. such as only able to eat foods at a certain temperature
Symptoms of ARFID
ARFID is more than being a picky eater in that the restriction of food intake has a significant impact on individuals health.
Symptoms of ARFID may include:
- sensitivity to some types of food depending on texture and smell
- always having the same meal
- avoiding social situations where food is present
- finding eating to be a chore
- having difficulty in identifying hunger
- relying on nutritional supplements due to a lack of food intake
Getting help
If you are concerned about whether you may have ARFID, make an appointment with your GP and they can provide further advice. If you are worried a friend of family member may have ARFID, encourage them to seek advice from a GP. Beat has a variety of resources to support this process.
Due to the various ways ARFID can present, it’s treated using different methods across professions. More research is needed to identify evidence-based treatments and currently NICE guidelines do not include information on ARFID. Current treatments may include:
- Young people: a health visitor (for under 5s), referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and local community eating disorder services
- Adults: Anxiety management training, Cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure therapy and nutritional management
Our ARFID research
Despite being recognised as a serious condition, research into ARFID has been limited. This lack of understanding has left many individuals and their families without the necessary resources and support.
Clinicians, too, face challenges in diagnosing and treating ARFID because we simply don’t know enough about the disorder’s different manifestations or its underlying causes.
Our ARFID research is led by Dr Samuel Chawner, Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow.
Dr Chawner said: “We need to address these critical gaps in our knowledge about ARFID.
By understanding more about the nature of ARFID, we can pave the way for better clinical practices and outcomes for those affected. Here at the NCMH, we are working to better understand ARFID and better understand the condition.
Register your interest today
Complete our short sign up form to receive updates about our research and be contacted about potential opportunities to take part.