ARFID in Adults: What Are the Symptoms and How Is It Treated?
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is often mistaken for “picky eating” but involves severe food avoidance or restriction. This condition often flies under the radar during childhood, so many adults remain undiagnosed. ARFID in adults includes inflexible eating patterns, fear-based food restrictions, and sensitivity to food textures or appearances. Causes vary, including biological, genetic, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Adults with ARFID can get tailored support – recovery is possible at any age.
Excerpt from Eating Recovery Center:
Adults with ARFID often have inflexible eating patterns, which can leave them labeled as extremely “picky” with regard to food selection. There is a clear distinction between food preferences, which everyone has, and the inflexible eating behaviors found in people diagnosed with ARFID. These inflexible behaviors include the following:
- Refusal to try different foods or new types of food
- Requiring extremely specific preparation of food choices
- Sensitivity to the sensory experience of a food, such as smell or texture
Another common symptom of ARFID in adults is fear-based food restriction. Individuals who experience distress about certain foods can have an emotional or physical reaction due to fear of having an allergic reaction, choking or vomiting. Because of this fear, they may avoid certain foods and/or textures that have nutritional value. Fear-based food restriction can also result in low body weight and increased anxiety around food.