Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) can have a significant impact on everyday life, affecting physical health, social confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Whether you are seeking answers for yourself or someone you care about, understanding ARFID and knowing what support is available can help you take the next step towards recovery.
ARFID is an eating disorder where someone avoids or restricts certain foods, or entire food groups, for reasons unrelated to body image or weight. According to Beat, ARFID accounts for around 5% of all eating disorder cases in the UK.
The condition is linked to factors such as:
ARFID is not the same as “picky eating”. It is a complex mental health condition that can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight changes, anxiety, physical health complications and significant disruption to daily life.
In children, ARFID can affect growth and development. In adults, it can impact work, relationships, social life and overall health.
ARFID symptoms can vary widely. Some people may restrict food due to sensory issues, while others may avoid eating because of fear or anxiety.
Common symptoms include:
Symptoms often look different for children and adults, but both can experience significant physical and emotional effects.
ARFID is typically grouped into three patterns. A person may fall into one category or experience a combination of these types.
This form of ARFID involves strong sensory sensitivities to food. Someone may find certain textures, smells or tastes overwhelming, limiting the foods they can tolerate.
This type often develops after a difficult or traumatic experience such as choking or vomiting, creating fear-based reactions around food. The avoidance is driven by anxiety and a desire to stay safe.
This type involves a limited range of preferred foods without sensory or fear-based reasons. People may forget to eat, struggle with low appetite, or rely on a narrow list of familiar foods.
You may benefit from specialist support if you or someone close to you is:
ARFID is treatable and recovery is possible. Seeking help early can prevent health complications and reduce the emotional burden of living with the condition.
ARFID treatment focuses on expanding food variety, reducing fear or sensory distress and improving overall wellbeing. Our approach is tailored to each person’s needs and delivered by experienced eating disorder clinicians.
Treatment may include therapy, nutritional support and practical exposure-based strategies.
CBT-AR is a specialist therapy designed specifically for ARFID. It helps people:
This approach is effective for adults, young people and children.
Gradual exposure the foods, textures or situations you fear helps reduce avoidance and develop new skills. This is the basis of exposure therapy.
Exposure work is carried out with support and at a pace that feels manageable.
If past traumatic experiences contribute to ARFID symptoms, EMDR can help reduce the emotional distress linked to those memories, allowing eating to feel safer.
Registered dietitians help create balanced meal plans, support physical health and work alongside therapists to widen food choices in realistic, sustainable steps.
For children and young people, family involvement is often crucial.
FBT supports parents and carers to understand ARFID, strengthen mealtime routines and offer consistent support at home.
Medication is not a treatment for ARFID itself, but in some cases may be prescribed to manage co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or OCD.
We provide ARFID treatment in a range of formats, depending on the level of support needed.
For people with severe ARFID or significant physical health risks, inpatient care offers 24-hour support, structured therapy, supervised mealtimes and a safe space away from daily pressures.
Day care provides a structured weekly schedule of therapy, exposure work and dietetic input while allowing people to return home each day.
Outpatient therapy offers regular one-to-one sessions with a specialist, suitable for people who need support while continuing with daily life.
For those who prefer flexible support, online therapy allows access to specialist clinicians from home.
If you recognise ARFID symptoms in yourself or someone you love, support is available.
Your GP can be a helpful first step for assessment and guidance. You can also contact Priory directly to arrange a private ARFID assessment with one of our eating disorder specialists.
At Priory, we offer:
Recovery from ARFID takes time, but with the right help, it is possible to build confidence, widen food choices and move towards a healthier relationship with eating.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk of harm, immediate help is available.
Find other immediate support options, including national helplines, on our crisis support page.
Priory continually monitors treatment outcomes and patient experience to ensure the highest standards of care. Feedback helps us improve our services and provide the best possible treatment environments for our patients and their families.
