What is ARFID?
ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by limited food intake that isn’t caused by a negative self-image or a desire to change body weight. People with ARFID might avoid food-related sensory experiences, have a fear of adverse consequences or display a lack of interest in food. With support from expert clinicians, people with ARFID can recover.
How Does ARFID Present?
Sensory Avoidant
Those with ARFID might avoid certain types of food due to sensory features that cause sensitivity or over-stimulation.
Fear of Adverse Consequences
Some people with ARFID experience fear-based reactions to some foods.
Lack of Interest
ARFID might also present as little-to-no interest in food.
Signs of ARFID
There are some common behaviors associated with ARFID. Friends and family can look out for the warning signs below.
Fear when eating
Someone with ARFID might express fear of choking, nausea, vomiting or pain.
Sensory sensitivity
Another warning sign is sensitivity to the sensory features of food. They might avoid specific food items based on texture, temperature, smell, color or texture.
Little-to-no interest in food
Someone with ARFID may forget to eat, have a low appetite or regularly get distracted during mealtime.
Extreme pickiness
Extreme pickiness is a common sign of ARFID. Someone with ARFID might eat a limited selection of foods or brands or only eat foods prepared in a particular manner. They are often extremely reluctant or refuse to try new foods.
Anxiety when eating
Anxiety when eating may occur in individuals with ARFID when exposed to non-preferred (“safe”) foods.
Vomiting or gagging
When exposed to certain foods, those with ARFID may involuntarily vomit or gag.
ARFID Symptoms
While ARFID involves many behavioral symptoms, it can also have serious health consequences. Weight loss, difficulty gaining weight and malnutrition can pose serious health risks, including:
Medical complications of ARFID
While ARFID and other eating disorders are mental illnesses, they are also one of the few conditions that are regularly accompanied by severe medical complications.
Osteopenia & osteoporosis
Individuals with ARFID often have poor nutrition, which can contribute to osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Anemia
Low food intake, and resulting low dietary iron, can cause anemia in individuals with ARFID.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia (heart rate under 60 beats per minute) is a common medical complication in those with ARFID.
Amenorrhea
Chronic malnutrition associated with ARFID can cause low body weight which results in loss of the menstrual cycle (secondary amenorrhea) or delayed menstruation in young girls (primary amenorrhea).
Psychiatric comorbidities of ARFID
Research demonstrates that 55-95% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder also receive a diagnosis for another disorder. ARFID shares some symptomology with other disorders, most notably autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Autism spectrum disorder
There is a lot of overlap between autism spectrum disorder and ARFID. Extreme pickiness, aversions to different aspects of foods and rigid brand preference can cause adults and children with ASD to become underweight.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
While there are not many studies on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ARFID, some studies suggest an overlap of these two diagnoses in 15-40% of individuals. Stimulant medications prescribed for ADHD can suppress the appetite and contribute to weight loss.
ARFID treatment
At ACUTE, we believe recovery from ARFID is possible, regardless of the severity of ARFID or how long a person has been struggling with their condition. For some people with ARFID, the first steps toward recovery are medical stabilization and nutritional rehabilitation.
We support patients in their recovery by helping them achieve medical stabilization, nutritional rehabilitation and a restored weight. To achieve these goals, we support patients with:
- World leading medical expertise in the medical treatment of eating disorders
- Evidence-based multidisciplinary care across internal medicine, dietetics, nursing, behavioral health, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
- Around-the-clock 1:1 nursing supervision
- Blood chemistry, vitals monitoring and treatments for other medical and/or surgical comorbidities
- Air ambulance transfer when necessary
How is inpatient medical hospitalization different?
ACUTE offers the highest level of eating disorder care. Medical hospitalization is delivered in a hospital setting and is primarily focused on treating severe medical complications, although other forms of support are available to supplement recovery. Patients at an inpatient medical hospitalization level require interventions that aren’t available at lower levels of care, including:
- Monitoring of vitals
- Intravenous fluids
- Daily lab monitoring
- Certain types of medication management
Who does ACUTE treat?
ACUTE accepts patients who are too medically complex for lower levels of care.
- 15+ years of age
- All gender expressions
- <70% of ideal body weight (IBW)
- BMI <14.5
- Severe medical complications associated with ARFID
Get connected to care
Our admissions specialist can help assess your needs and determine the appropriate level of care.
Even if ACUTE isn’t right for you, our experienced admissions team can connect you with other programs that meet your needs.