What is ARFID?
ARFID is when a person avoids certain foods, limits how much they eat, or both. Unlike anorexia nervosa, ARFID is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape. Instead, food avoidance or restriction may be linked to sensory sensitivities, a lack of interest in eating or a fear of negative consequences, such as choking.
In this video, counsellor Maggie Learoyd explains what ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) is and how counselling can help.
Why would someone avoid or restrict their food intake?
There are a number of different reasons why a person would avoid or restrict food intake. Some of the most common can include:
- sensitivity to the taste, smell, texture or appearance of certain foods;
- only being able to eat foods at a certain temperature;
- previous negative experiences with food, such as choking or food poisoning, leading to increased anxiety around eating;
- fear or anxiety around eating, resulting in the avoidance of certain foods.
Not all those who experience ARFID know they are avoiding or restricting their food. It may be someone close to them, such as a friend or family member, who notices a change in their behaviour or eating habits. Equally, the person experiencing issues may not even notice that they are hungry in the way others would. For some people with ARFID, eating is a chore and is feared, not the enjoyable act that many of us feel. This can lead to avoidance or restriction due to a lack of interest in eating.
No two people will present the same, and as such, a person could have one or many of the above-mentioned reasons. ARFID is often referred to as an umbrella term, as it includes a whole range of issues that a person may be experiencing. However, the one thing that links people with ARFID is the avoidance or restriction of their food intake, whether this is the quantity consumed, range of food eaten, or both.
When does ARFID develop?
Although ARFID can develop at any age, early signs often appear in childhood and can sometimes be mistaken for picky eating. However, ARFID is more than ordinary food preferences and can significantly affect a person's nutrition, health and everyday life.
ARFID can be difficult to recognise in young children, particularly when eating difficulties are mistaken for typical picky eating. It can also occur alongside neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD and autism.
When to seek help for ARFID
Simply put, when ARFID has a negative impact on your physical health and your psychological wellbeing, it is recommended that you seek help.
Our bodies need a certain number of calories to maintain weight. A restrictive diet or general avoidance of food could lead to weight loss, or in a child, difficulties with growth and development.
An inadequate diet due to eating a narrow range of foods may also lead to a lack of essential nutrients needed for your health. In turn, your body's development and ability to function on a day-to-day basis can become severely affected, perhaps leading to serious weight loss or nutritional deficiencies.
Being limited in terms of what you can eat can also present significant difficulties at home, at school or college, at work, and when with friends. Your mood and day-to-day functioning can equally be negatively affected.
You may find it difficult to go out or to go on holiday, and your eating difficulties may make social occasions difficult to manage. You might also find it difficult to make new friends or establish close relationships as social eating occasions are often part of this process. If any of this sounds familiar, then please do think about talking to someone.
ARFID can affect people at any weight. You don't need to be underweight to seek support. If your eating difficulties are affecting your health or everyday life, speak to your GP.
How can counselling help with ARFID?
Counselling can bring about a range of benefits, helping people explore the thoughts, feelings and anxieties associated with eating difficulties. It may also help them develop ways to manage these challenges and feel more confident around food.
For some people, exploring their thoughts and feelings around eating can be difficult, but counselling can offer a supportive space to work through these challenges. Treatment for ARFID may also involve specialist psychological therapies, nutritional support and medical care, depending on the person's individual needs.
Counselling isn't just for the person with ARFID. It can also help parents, guardians and carers better understand ARFID and develop strategies to support someone with the condition.
What can you expect from a therapist?
It can be daunting to take that first step, choose a therapist and book your first session. Seeking support can feel difficult, but counselling offers an opportunity to explore your experiences and work towards positive changes.
With the right therapist, you may feel a sense of relief in being able to share in a safe, non-judgmental environment where you feel heard and understood. There should be no pressure to make changes before you feel ready. Your therapist can offer support and encouragement, helping you work towards your goals at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
An important part of counselling is the therapeutic relationship with your therapist. If you feel things aren't working, it's OK to discuss your concerns or consider finding a different therapist. Just as we connect with people in different ways in everyday life, finding the right therapist can take time.
If anything in this article resonates with you and you'd like to explore it further, you can find a counsellor with experience supporting people with ARFID through Counselling Directory.
This page was written by Counsellor Maggie Learoyd MNCS Accredited & Dip. Counselling Practice (March 2023).
