EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder?
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, commonly known as ARFID, is an eating disorder involving significant limitations in the amount or variety of food a person eats. Unlike anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, ARFID is not always driven by concerns about body size or shape. Someone with ARFID may avoid food because of its taste, texture, smell, or appearance. Others may fear choking, vomiting, or another negative experience related to eating, or they may have little appetite or interest in food.
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else—or if there’s any type of health emergency—please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How ARFID might show up
ARFID can affect people of different ages, backgrounds, identities, and body sizes. It may begin in childhood or develop later following a frightening experience involving food or eating.
Someone with ARFID may rely on a small group of preferred foods, avoid entire food groups, or struggle to eat enough to meet their nutritional needs. Eating in unfamiliar settings may cause significant anxiety, making school, work, travel, and social activities more difficult.
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else—or if there’s any type of health emergency—please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Recognizing the warning signs
Signs of ARFID may include:
- Eating a very limited variety of foods.
- Avoiding foods because of their texture, taste, smell, temperature, or appearance.
- Having little appetite or interest in eating.
- Fear of choking, vomiting, allergic reactions, or other consequences of eating.
- Eliminating foods or food groups over time.
- Taking a long time to eat or having difficulty finishing meals.
- Becoming anxious or distressed around unfamiliar foods.
- Avoiding restaurants, celebrations, or other situations involving food.
- Unintended weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight.
- Nutritional deficiencies or reliance on supplements.
- Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty participating in everyday activities because of eating concerns.
Someone does not need to display every warning sign to benefit from professional support.
How ARFID can affect health
When someone cannot eat enough food or enough variety, they may not receive the energy and nutrients their body needs. ARFID can contribute to weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, delayed growth, digestive concerns, fatigue, and other medical complications.
The condition also often impacts emotional and social wellbeing. Anxiety around eating may interfere with relationships, school, work, and activities that once felt enjoyable. Professional care can help address both nutritional needs and the fears, sensory concerns, or lack of interest contributing to food avoidance.
What comprehensive treatment looks like
Treatment for ARFID helps clients understand what is contributing to food avoidance and gradually build greater comfort, flexibility, and confidence around eating.
Each care plan will reflect the person’s symptoms, physical health, sensory experiences, fears, and recovery goals. Treatment may include:
- Comprehensive assessment of symptoms, goals, and treatment needs.
- Individual and group therapy.
- Nutrition counseling and meal support.
- Gradual work toward increasing food variety and flexibility.
- Support for anxiety, emotional regulation, and sustainable coping skills.
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management when appropriate.
- Treatment for co-occurring mental health or substance use concerns.
Rosecrance Therapies provides compassionate, evidence-based care for adults experiencing ARFID and other eating disorders. Treatment may incorporate dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Services include individual therapy, nutrition support, outpatient recovery groups and a virtual intensive outpatient program for adults in Illinois and Indiana. Rosecrance works collaboratively with each client to identify the appropriate level of care and support lasting recovery.
Why seeking help matters
Without support, food avoidance may become more restrictive and interfere with physical health, relationships, and daily life. Treatment can address nutritional concerns and prevent avoidance patterns from becoming more established, and it is never too late to seek care.
We believe recovery is possible. With compassionate treatment and individualized support, people with ARFID can develop new coping skills, increase flexibility around food, and participate more fully in everyday life.
Find support at Rosecrance Therapies
Eating disorder recovery looks different for everyone. At Rosecrance Therapies, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care designed around each person’s needs, experiences and goals.
Rosecrance Therapies’ intensive outpatient program (IOP) for eating disorders is led by a team of experienced eating disorder professionals, including therapists and dietitians. The program combines group therapy, individual therapy, nutrition counseling and meal support, as well as medical and psychiatric monitoring.
Using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), our team helps clients address eating disorder symptoms while building a healthier relationship with food, movement and themselves.
We offer a virtual IOP option for individuals residing in Illinois and Indiana, as well as an in-person option for those seeking care in the Chicagoland area.
You don’t have to know exactly what type of care you need before reaching out.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about ARFID
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No. Food preferences are common, especially during childhood. ARFID involves food avoidance or restriction that affects nutrition, physical health, or a person’s ability to participate in daily life.
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ARFID is not primarily driven by concerns about weight or body shape. Food avoidance may instead be connected to sensory sensitivities, fear of negative consequences, or limited interest in eating.
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Yes. ARFID can affect people at any body size. A person may experience nutritional deficiencies, distress, or disruption to daily life even without noticeable weight loss
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Treatment commonly combines therapy, nutrition support, and medical or psychiatric care when appropriate. Care may focus on reducing anxiety, addressing sensory concerns, increasing food variety, and helping the person meet their nutritional needs.
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Yes. Although ARFID may begin during childhood, it can continue into or first become apparent during adulthood. Adults with ARFID can benefit from specialized eating disorder treatment.
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Yes. With individualized treatment and support, people can become more comfortable around food, expand what they are able to eat, and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing.
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Approach the person with patience and without judgment. Avoid pressuring, criticizing, or forcing them to eat. Listen to their concerns and encourage them to speak with a healthcare or eating disorder professional.
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Together, these new programs reflect Rosecrance’s ongoing commitment to expanding evidence-based, compassionate care for individuals on the path toward recovery. Call us today at 312.239.5200 or contact us online to schedule a confidential screening or learn more about our mental health IOP or eating disorder IOP. Partnering treatment providers can also refer clients needing a higher level of care to these groups by calling the number above or making a referral through our website.