Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) involves persistent difficulty eating enough food or maintaining an adequate variety of foods. Unlike eating disorders that involve concerns about weight or body shape, ARFID may be driven by sensory sensitivities, feelings of disgust or aversion around food, fear of negative consequences, such as choking or vomiting, or a lack of interest in eating. ARFID can affect children, adolescents, and adults.
When ARFID Takes Over
ARFID can make meals, restaurants, travel, school, social events, and other everyday situations increasingly difficult. Individuals may rely on a limited range of foods, avoid unfamiliar foods, or experience significant anxiety around eating. Over time, these patterns can interfere with nutrition, family life, social activities, and overall functioning.
Common Symptoms May Include:
- Eating a very limited range of foods
- Strong sensitivity to the taste, texture, smell, or appearance of foods
- Fear of choking, vomiting, or becoming ill from eating
- Feelings of disgust or aversion toward a number of foods
- Avoiding unfamiliar or previously feared foods
- Low appetite or limited interest in eating
- Anxiety surrounding meals or eating situations
- Difficulty eating at restaurants, school, social events, or while traveling
How CBT Can Help
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help people with ARFID understand the thoughts, fears, and avoidance patterns that maintain difficulties with eating. Treatment focuses on developing practical coping skills, reducing distress and avoidance around food, and gradually increasing comfort with a broader range of foods and eating situations.
Our Approach at HVCCT
Treatment at HVCCT emphasizes CBT and gradual, exposure-based treatment tailored to the factors contributing to each person’s food avoidance. Depending on the individual, exposure may involve gradually trying new foods, becoming more comfortable with different tastes and textures, and approaching eating situations that have been avoided. Together, we develop a hierarchy of foods and eating experiences ranging from low to high discomfort and gradually work through exposure exercises designed to reduce avoidance and increase flexibility around eating. For children and adolescents, treatment often includes working closely with parents to support exposure practice and reduce patterns that may unintentionally reinforce avoidance.
Making progress with ARFID typically involves practicing new skills and gradually approaching foods and eating situations that may trigger anxiety, disgust, or aversion. Explore our tips for getting the most out of therapy.
Ready to take the next step?
If ARFID is interfering with eating, health, or everyday life, our therapists are here to answer your questions and help you determine whether CBT and exposure-based treatment may be helpful.