Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID is no joke. It is not picky eating that someone grows out of eventually. It's not someone being silly wanting to eat "children's" food or trying to get out of eating vegetables. It is a serious psychological disorder that can affect a person's entire life as well as their relationships with family and friends. If left untreated, it can affect their health and well-being.

What is ARFID?

ARFID, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is a new diagnostic and psychological disorder (DSM-5, 2013) that falls under the eating disorder umbrella. Most people equate ARFID with extreme picky eating, but it is so much more than that.

Individuals with ARFID either:

• avoid foods/food groups based on sensory/sensitive reasons

• avoid/restrict foods based on a fear of an adverse consequence of eating such as choking or vomiting

• restrict intake because they lack an interest in eating

 An individual can experience one or more of these subtypes.

The diagnosis also includes at least one or more of the following:

• weight loss/fallen off the growth chart

• dependence on nutritional supplements (such as Ensure)

• not due to lack of food or cultural reasons

• is not concerned with weight or body size

Most people that suffer from ARFID have extreme anxiety when it comes to eating specific foods, eating a certain amount, and in specific eating environments (noise, smells, sight).

Similar to other eating disorders, ARFID can have dire consequences on the individual, physiologically and psychologically. This is especially true in young individuals as it can affect brain and social development, growth, puberty, bone development, and much more.

I hope by sharing my experiences and education I can help individuals suffering from ARFID find freedom with food and provide support and encouragement to parents/caregivers.