It’s normal for most kids to go through phases of picky eating, and it’s normal for adults to have food preferences and dislikes. However, it might be ARFID if the pickiness gets worse over time, and starts to interfere with a person’s life and health. If picky eating is leading to nutritional deficiencies, stalled growth, digestive issues, anxiety, social withdrawal, or reduced quality of life, there’s probably something deeper going on. If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, Equip’s free, 5-minute ARFID self-screener is a good place to start.

ARFID can occur at any stage of life, but it’s often diagnosed at a younger age than other eating disorders. Equip has treated ARFID patients as young as four. If you’re concerned that a child may have ARFID, talk with your pediatrician or seek out an ARFID specialist.

For very young children, it’s important to understand whether the concerning eating behaviors are related to developmental or skills-based issues, in which case it may be pediatric feeding disorder, not ARFID.

All Equip providers are licensed in their respective discipline (dietitian, therapist, or medical provider), and specialized in eating disorders. In addition to their education and experience, they also receive ongoing training in evidence-based eating disorder care through Equip. This includes intensive initial training that covers all eating disorder diagnoses and the leading treatment models for each. They also receive advanced training and supervision in different specialized areas, including cognitive behavioral therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR).

A central focus for Equip providers is learning how to apply evidence-based treatments with flexibility, so they can meet patients and their loved ones where they are.

First and foremost, Hannah wanted this for herself. She wanted to avoid a feeding tube and she saw how much ARFID was affecting her life. Because of past negative therapy experiences, she was hesitant to try again, but when she made a connection with her current therapist and trusted her to help, it made all the difference. Hannah's family also removed pressure, let her take the lead, and gave her a safe space where she felt validated and seen.

ARFID commonly co-occurs with neurodivergence. Studies show that among those with ARFID, up to 26% have ADHD symptoms and up to 33.3% are on the autism spectrum. Neurodivergence can contribute to heightened sensory sensitivity, altered hunger signaling, and anxiety, all of which can be factors in the development of ARFID.

Because ARFID is a newer and lesser-known eating disorder diagnosis, it’s important to seek out providers who are familiar with ARFID and understand evidence-based treatment approaches. You can also reach out to Equip, which is the leading ARFID treatment provider in the U.S.

Hannah's family started their journey because Hannah had fallen off her growth curve, was malnourished, and was facing the possibility of a feeding tube. If you’re concerned that you or someone you love might have ARFID, the first step is to talk to an ARFID-informed professional. You can also schedule a consultation with Equip, the largest ARFID treatment provider in the United States.