Do you know someone who is a really picky eater? Maybe they only eat a few specific foods, or they absolutely refuse to try anything new. While many kids (and even adults!) go through phases of being picky, sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID for short.
ARFID isn’t just about disliking certain foods. It’s a real eating disorder where someone avoids or restricts what they eat and/or how much they eat, often because of strong feelings like anxiety or fear about food.
What Makes ARFID Different from “Regular” Picky Eating?
Imagine someone who only eats chicken nuggets, plain pasta, rice, and white bread. They might be called “picky.” But with ARFID, there’s a lot more going on.
Here’s why ARFID is different:
- It’s about anxiety and fear: People with ARFID aren’t worried about their body shape or weight, like with some other eating disorders. Instead, their picky eating comes from feeling very anxious or scared about food.
- It affects health and daily life: Because of their limited diet, people with ARFID often don’t get enough nutrients or energy. This can lead to serious problems like weight loss, not getting enough vitamins, or even needing a feeding tube. It can also make it hard to do normal things like eat with friends or family.
- Strong reactions to food: People with ARFID might have intense disgust or fear when they see, smell, or even just think about certain foods.
The Three Main Reasons Behind ARFID
ARFID usually falls into one of three main categories, or sometimes a mix of them:
- Sensory Sensitivity
This is when someone is very bothered by how foods look, smell, taste, or feel in their mouth. Think about someone who can’t stand mushy textures or strong smells. For them, the fear is about the uncomfortable feeling of eating (or even being near) the food. They might gag or feel intensely disgusted by certain textures, appearances, or smells. - Fear of Bad Things Happening
For others, the fear is that something bad will happen if they eat certain foods. They might be terrified of choking, throwing up, or getting a stomachache (like nausea or diarrhea). Sometimes, this fear comes from a past bad experience with food. For example, if they choked on something once, they might become afraid of eating similar foods again, even if it’s very unlikely to happen. - Lack of Interest in Food or Eating
Some people with ARFID just don’t have much interest in food at all. They might say they have no appetite, get full very quickly, or feel like eating is a chore. They’re not avoiding food because of fear of a bad consequence or sensory issues, but simply because they don’t feel hungry or motivated to eat. This can lead to them eating very little.
When to Suspect It’s More Than Just Picky Eating
If you’re wondering if someone’s eating habits might be ARFID, here are some signs to look for:
- Very limited food choices: They eat a very small number of “safe” foods, and rarely, if ever, try anything new.
- Strong emotional reactions to food: They show intense fear, anxiety, or disgust when faced with certain foods.
- Trouble eating with others: They might avoid social gatherings or events where food is involved because of their eating challenges.
- Health concerns: They may be losing weight, not growing as expected, or showing signs of not getting enough nutrients (like being tired all the time).
- It’s getting worse over time: Their food avoidance isn’t getting better, and might even be getting more extreme.
Getting Help for ARFID
It’s important to remember that ARFID is not a choice, and it’s not the person’s fault. It’s a complex condition that often requires help from doctors, therapists, and dietitians.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of ARFID, reaching out to a healthcare professional is a really important step. They can help figure out what’s going on and create a plan to help the person get the nutrition they need and feel more comfortable around food. With the right support, people with ARFID can learn to expand their diet and live healthier, fuller lives.
