Text Link

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

ARFID treatment: avoidant restrictive food intake disorder

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves a severely limited caloric intake due to extreme aversions to certain foods, fear of vomiting or choking after eating, or a general disinterest in food.

Our program can help

We’ll help you take the self-doubt and guilt out of eating, make peace with food, and become highly attuned to what your individual body needs.

How we do it

To address the various underlying issues at play, ARFID treatment is often multidisciplinary, with a treatment team of healthcare professionals working to help with psychological, nutritional, psychiatric, and physical interventions. This offers a whole-person approach to recovery, as opposed to simply addressing disordered eating behaviors.

12
 minutes read
Last updated on 
August 29, 2023
January 18, 2024
ARFID treatment
In this article

Psychotherapy for ARFID

ARFID is still a relatively new medical designation, and research on the condition, including how to treat ARFID, is ongoing. How to treat ARFID in adults is especially underlooked, as the condition tends to impact children and adolescents.

Still, these forms of psychotherapy—or talk therapy—have been known to help treat other eating disorders, and may be helpful to treat ARFID in adults, adolescents, and children alike.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR)
Exposure therapy
Family therapy
Group therapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

Nutrition counseling and meal support

Nutrition counseling is nearly always an important part of ARFID treatment. This type of support helps patients learn about their body’s nutritional needs and why certain foods are an important part of staying healthy.

Nutritional therapists can also play a big role in exposing people with ARFID to feared foods. With children, this could mean asking them to draw, color, or play with toys that look like certain foods, to help familiarize and destigmatize them.11

Nutritional counseling may also involve a meeting with a registered dietician to identify any nutritional deficiencies that have arisen due to a restricted diet. This can help them potentially create a meal plan or recommend other supplements.3

Virtual eating disorder programs
Residential care
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
Outpatient programs

Treating ARFID at Within Health

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is sometimes confused with anorexia nervosa or picky eating, but the condition is developed and maintained by its own unique factors and should be treated accordingly.

At Within Health, we create individual treatment plans for each of our clients, regardless of which eating disorder they're struggling with. We aim to support people with ARFID by helping them learn to embrace flexibility around food and eating, so they can overcome their food phobias and food restriction, and enjoy food and social eating once again.

Our ARFID treatment program is run entirely online or through our app, and consists of three levels of care:

  • Partial hospitalization program
  • Intensive outpatient program
  • Outpatient program

The level of care required for an individual living with ARFID will be determined depending on the severity of the restriction, overall health and wellbeing, and a person’s specific needs. 

Our multidisciplinary team of experienced psychotherapists, dietitians, nurses, and other mental health professionals not only provides cutting-edge treatment, but also unconditional compassion, support, and understanding.

Call for a free consultation
Call us >

We know how hard it is to seek help for ARFID, so we ensure you will not go through recovery alone. Supported group meals and group psychotherapy are there to make you feel like you’re part of a community, no matter what your gender identity, ethnicity, sexuality, or age, and reassure you that your struggle is not yours alone.

Through the Within Health app, help is available wherever you are, whenever you need it.

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Brigham, K. S., Manzo, L. D., Eddy, K. T., & Thomas, J. J. (2018). Evaluation and Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Adolescents. Current Pediatrics Reports, 6(2), 107–113.
  2. Levels of Care. (n.d.). University of California: San Diego. Accessed August 2023. 
  3. Eating disorder treatment: Know your options. (2017, July 14). Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Accessed August 2023.
  4. Treating ARFID. (n.d.). ARFID Awareness UK. Accessed August 2023.
  5. Howard, M., Hembry, P., Rhind, C., Siddall, A., Uddin, M., Bryant-Waugh, R. (2023). Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as a psychological intervention in the treatment of ARFID for children and young people. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 16, e5. 
  6. Sheldon-Dean, H. (2023, February 8). Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders. Child Mind Institute. Accessed August 2023.
  7. Markowitz, J. C., & Weissman, M. M. (2004). Interpersonal psychotherapy: principles and applications. World Psychiatry, 3(3), 136–139.
  8. Esfandiari, N., Mazaheri, M. A., Akbari-Zardkhaneh, S., Sadeghi-Firoozabadi, V., & Cheraghi, M. (2021). Internet-Delivered Versus Face-to-Face Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12, 153.
  9. Comas, C. (2021, March 9). Supporting Your Loved One with ARFID. Eating Disorder Therapy LA. Accessed August 2023. 
  10. Williams, P., Goodie, J., Motsinger, C. (2008). Treating Eating Disorders in Primary Care. American Family Physician, 77(2), 187-195. 
  11. Białek-Dratwa, A., Szymańska, D., Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Szczepańska, E., & Kowalski, O. (2022). ARFID-Strategies for Dietary Management in Children. Nutrients, 14(9), 1739.

FAQs

How do I support someone with ARFID?

Watching a loved one struggle with ARFID can be frustrating, heartbreaking, and difficult. Your first reaction may be to yell at them or argue about why they won't eat, or try to force feed them.

Instead, try to lead with compassion.

Validating that someone is struggling with a mental health disorder beyond their control can be freeing both for you and for them. Once you're more able to see their actions as part of a disorder, you can try to cultivate more patience. That's another key aspect of supporting someone with ARFID, both through treatment and recovery. And when it comes to trying new foods, it's important to give them room to make their own choices, even if they're choices you don't agree with.

But overall, one of the best ways to support someone with ARFID or any eating disorder is simply to be there for them. Listen to what they have to say, and make sure they know they're loved and cared for.

What is the best treatment for ARFID?

As ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis, treatment for the condition is still very much being studied. But for eating disorders in general, cognitive behavioral therapy is generally the first recommended line of therapy.

For ARFID in particular, there is CBT-AR, a version of cognitive behavioral therapy for ARFID, which aims at specific struggles people with that condition generally experience.

Nutritional counseling is also often recommended for treating ARFID, particularly in cases where someone has developed issues around malnutrition.

Are there ARFID support groups?

Yes. ARFID may be a new diagnosis, but it's becoming more widely recognized. As such, ARFID support groups have formed to help people with the condition find strength and support in a community of people who are going through similar challenges.

There may also be support groups for people with loved ones who have ARFID, to help them find a sense of understanding and share concerns, victories, and other common stories.

Support groups for eating disorders of all types are usually run on a local basis. An online search should be able to turn up some options, but you can also ask your doctor or call an eating disorder hotline for more information.

Further reading

Black History Month spotlight: Joycelyn Elders—Building a stronger future for our children

Black History Month is an important time of year to reflect on the many unsung accomplishments of African...

Black History Month spotlight: Paul Cornely—Keeping the Civil Rights Movement strong

They say if you have your health, you have everything. And Dr. Paul Cornely worked to ensure everyone could...

Interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), and bulimia nervosa (BN) can...

Black History Month spotlight: Mary Kenner—The unsung pioneer of women’s health

While scientific advancement is generally considered a collaborative effort, there are many unsung heroes...

Binge eating recovery

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, characterized by...

ARFID treatment at home

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a common eating disorder, though not widely understood...

How to treat eating disorders at home

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect millions of people around the world. In...

Do I have ARFID?

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a serious mental health condition that involves a...

Bulimia treatment at home

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating and purging, with these...

Anorexia home treatment

Treating anorexia nervosa (AN) is often a tricky prospect. While weight restoration and recovery from this...

Within Summit Q&A with Kevin Hines: The power of lived experience

Many people have said this story saved or changed their lives. People recognize they too can overcome...

Eating disorder support groups: Finding healing in community

Eating disorders like binge eating disorder (BED), anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN), can be...

Within Summit Author round-up

Looking to deepen your wisdom from the Within Summit? Speakers from this year and last year’s Summit share...

Within Summit Q&A with Dr. Luana Marques: Understanding avoidance

I grew up in Brazil with a single mother, and moved in with my grandmother at 15. I faced a lot of adversity..

Within Summit Q&A with Dr. Kate Truitt: The power of gentle, soothing touch

Anybody can learn the self-havening protocols, which involve different kinds of gentle, soothing touch, and...

Within Summit Q&A with Eric Wood: Envisioning a new model for college campus counseling

The trauma of the pandemic has definitely contributed to the increased need for mental health services...

Emotion-focused therapy for eating disorders

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT), sometimes called emotionally-focused therapy, is a type of therapy that...

Experiential therapy for eating disorders

Experiential therapy is a form of insight-driven or action-based therapy that immerses a patient in an...

Comparing the different levels of care in eating disorder treatment

While all eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, eating disorder symptoms may present at...

Can a therapist diagnose an eating disorder?

Struggling with an undiagnosed eating disorder is often a difficult thing to talk about. Even if you're...

Bulimia self-help recovery

Like other eating disorders, bulimia nervosa (BN) has the power to significantly affect a person’s life and...

10 ways to be gentle with yourself during eating disorder recovery

Eating disorder behaviors are often characterized by profound shame, guilt, and isolation. Eating disorder...

Overcoming food aversion

Food aversion is an intense dislike of a particular food. People may experience this emotion with foods...

How to choose the best eating disorder treatment program for your needs

When it comes to choosing an eating disorder treatment program, people’s specific needs may vary. A program...

Practicing mindfulness and mindful eating

The practice of mindfulness originated through Buddhist meditation, but its introduction into Western...

The health benefits of pet ownership

Coming home to a fur baby or animal companion can feel like coming home to unconditional love. And the...

How chanting helps with meaningful living

Chanting is a type of meditation that has been part of human behavior for thousands of years, practiced by...

Meditation and eating disorder recovery

Practicing meditation can help with internal healing by offering the opportunity to bring mind, body, and...

ARFID in adults

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder (previously known as selective...

How yoga can improve mental health & help with eating disorder recovery

Practiced for thousands of years, yoga has long been heralded for its potential to improve mental, physical...

Eating disorder recovery and meaningful living

Eating disorder recovery is an incredibly personal and vulnerable journey, and everyone’s process may look...

The importance of intersectionality in eating disorder treatment and research

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, cultures, weights, sizes, and...

Therapy for eating disorders

Overcoming an eating disorder can be a long and challenging journey. But there are many types of therapy...

Learning to develop distress tolerance skills

Life can be challenging, as it’s full of ups and downs, meaning most people will have to navigate through...

Exposure therapy for eating disorders

Exposure therapy is a type of therapy used to treat eating disorders, phobias, and anxiety. It is typically...

Using self-compassion and radical acceptance to overcome perfectionism in eating disorder recovery

Perfectionism is a trait many people can have and is associated with eating disorders. And often...

Learn about eating disorder treatment

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can impact all aspects of someone's physical...

Aftercare for eating disorders

When you approach the end of your residential or partial hospital program...

How to find a therapist for eating disorders

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are...

Helpful interventions for eating disorders

If you suspect your loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, it can...

Trauma-informed care for eating disorders

There is a strong link between eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa...

Examining ARFID vs. anorexia

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and anorexia nervosa (AN) share...

Benefits of group therapy for eating disorders

Group therapy, sometimes called group psychotherapy, is not a specific type of therapy but rather a term to...

What to look for in a quality eating disorder treatment program

With so many eating disorder treatment programs available today, both...

What causes ARFID avoidant restrictive food intake disorder?

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is one of the rare eating disorders...

Exercise addiction treatment & recovery

Exercise addiction is an eating disorder that can do serious damage to the body, with up...

Night eating syndrome treatment

Night eating syndrome (NES) may not be as well-known as other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and...

Treatment of pregorexia, pregnancy-related eating disorders

Pregnancy-related eating disorders, also called pregorexia, encompass any eating disorders...

Orthorexia treatment plan

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a serious eating disorder that can be very tricky to detect, as...

Diabulimia treatment & recovery

Diabulimia is a complex eating disorder that involves the deliberate underuse or restriction of insulin in...

Anorexia nervosa treatment therapy options with proven results

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental health condition that manifests in a number of physical, mental...

Bulimia treatment therapy plans with proven results

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a dangerous and potentially deadly disorder, affecting someone’s mental, physical...

How to find a binge eating disorder treatment plan

Treatment plans for binge eating disorder (BED)—or other eating disorders and mental health conditions—are...

ARFID treatment: avoidant restrictive food intake disorder

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves a severely limited...

Treating ARFID and autism

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves extreme picky eating...

Signs and symptoms of ARFID

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder where...

Self-help and eating disorder treatment

Human resolve can be a formidable force in any endeavor. Recovering from an...

Partial hospitalization programs for eating disorders

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are highly-structured day therapy programs that can be used for...

Intensive outpatient treatment for eating disorders

While all eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, symptoms span a spectrum of severity. To...

Inpatient care for eating disorders

Mental health conditions of all types, including eating disorders, occur on a spectrum of severity...

Exercise bulimia treatment and recovery

Exercise bulimia is not as frequently talked about or as well understood as other eating disorders. But...

Group therapy for eating disorder treatment

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that have deep impacts on many people. By some...

ARFID eating disorder: Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID, is an eating disorder that...

The role of the care partner in ED recovery

Struggling with an eating disorder can be a lonely and isolating experience...

The importance of community during eating disorder recovery

Often, stories of eating disorder recovery focus on the individual, what they...

Further reading

No items found.