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Avoidant/ Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

What is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder?

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a complex eating disorder that goes far beyond “picky eating.” Previously referred to as Selective Eating Disorder, ARFID involves a persistent limitation in the amount or type of food someone consumes, but unlike anorexia or bulimia, it’s not driven by body image concerns.


ARFID often begins in childhood; however, it can exist across the lifespan! Yes, teens and adults can struggle with ARFID. Many individuals with ARFID experience fear around food - such as choking or vomiting, while others struggle with sensory sensitivities to textures, smells, or appearance. In some cases, eating may feel so overwhelming that individuals begin skipping meals altogether, leading to poor nutrition, low energy, and social withdrawal.

 

ARFID is not about vanity, control, or weight. It’s about fear, trauma, or sensory overload that makes food feel unsafe or overwhelming.

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Common Signs and Symptoms of ARFID

Recognizing the signs of ARFID can be challenging because the behaviors may look different for everyone. However, there are patterns that may signal it’s time to seek help:\
Sudden refusal to eat certain foods, especially ones they previously enjoyed

 

  • Fear of choking, vomiting, or allergic reactions not medically justified

  • A lack of appetite or disinterest in food without a clear medical cause

  • Difficulty eating around others or increased mealtime anxiety

  • Reliance on very limited or “safe” foods (like plain pasta, crackers, or specific brands)

  • Nutritional deficiencies, low energy, or menstrual irregularities

  • Fainting, dizziness, or signs of slowed physical growth in children and teens


ARFID often overlaps with anxiety, autism, trauma, or sensory processing issues. For some, it may develop after a negative experience with food (like choking or illness), while for others, it builds gradually over time.

* Disclosure - this video is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness nor is this a substitute for therapy.

Our Approach to ARFID Therapy

At Recovered & Restored, we offer individualized, evidence-based treatment for ARFID across all ages. Whether you’re a parent looking for help for your child, a teen struggling in silence, or an adult living with ARFID for years, we’re here for you.

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Treatment for ARFID should never be rushed or rooted in shame. Instead, our therapists gently support clients in expanding their food variety, rebuilding trust with their bodies, and reducing fear responses over time. We’ll also explore any underlying emotional challenges - such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or trauma that may be contributing to food avoidance. We use a multidisciplinary model that may include:

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  • Art and movement therapies to explore emotions creatively

 

We’ll meet you or your child where they are, with compassion, flexibility, and curiosity. No forcing, no shaming, and no skipping the “why” behind the behavior.

ARFID Is Treatable: You Are Not Alone

Healing from ARFID is possible, and it often starts by naming what’s really going on. Many of our clients have spent years being told they’re just “picky,” or that they’ll “grow out of it.” But left untreated, ARFID can lead to malnutrition, poor growth, anxiety, and shame around food and eating.

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If that’s your story (or your child’s), please know: it’s not your fault. ARFID is a real eating disorder, and you deserve real support.

Here are some gentle reminders we share with our clients in ARFID recovery:

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  • All food is morally neutral. There is no such thing as “good” or “bad” food.
     

  • You don’t have to enjoy every food right away. Progress can start with a single bite.
     

  • Recovery looks different for everyone, and that’s okay.
     

  • Eating in social settings can become less scary with practice and support.
     

  • You are allowed to grieve the difficulty of your relationship with food, even as you work toward healing.
     

We also host virtual Meal Coaching to help individuals practice real-life eating in a safe and supportive setting.

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Online ARFID Therapy: Accessible, Flexible, Effective

We know that leaving the house, or even sitting through a meal in an unfamiliar place can feel overwhelming for someone with ARFID. That’s why we offer online therapy for ARFID that meets you right where you are.

Virtual treatment is ideal for ARFID clients who:

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  • Feel anxious eating in public or clinical settings
     

  • Have limited access to specialized providers nearby
     

  • Thrive in familiar, home-based environments
     

  • Need flexible scheduling to fit around school, work, or parenting
     

  • Want to involve parents or family in sessions easily
     

Our licensed therapists deliver high-quality, evidence-based ARFID treatment to clients across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Vermont, South Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, and Delaware.

ARFID and Co-Occurring Diagnoses
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Many individuals with ARFID also deal with co-occurring conditions like generalized anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s why our approach always considers the whole person, not just the food.

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We often work alongside other providers (e.g., pediatricians, psychiatrists, dietitians) to create a comprehensive treatment plan that honors the complexity of your story and your body’s needs. You can learn more about that here.

Get Help for ARFID Today

Whether you’re dealing with ARFID yourself or watching a loved one struggle, please know that healing is possible. Recovery may not be fast or easy, but it is worth it.

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At Recovered & Restored, we specialize in helping clients take one brave, supported step at a time. You don’t have to live with fear at every meal. We’re ready to help you rebuild trust, restore nourishment, and feel safe in your body again.

FAQs About ARFID

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