ARFID is an eating disturbance that involves a persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional needs. Unlike anorexia, it is not driven by a fear of gaining weight, but rather by a lack of interest in eating, avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food (texture, smell, etc.), or a concern about aversive consequences of eating (like choking or vomiting). Our team can help address the underlying factors and support nutritional rehabilitation.
Common Symptoms or Things to Look Out For:
- An eating or feeding disturbance (e.g., apparent lack of interest in eating or food; avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food; concern about aversive consequences of eating) as manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs.
- Associated with one (or more) of the following: significant weight loss, significant nutritional deficiency, dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements, or marked interference with psychosocial functioning.