ARFID Eating Disorder Treatment for Adults and Adolescents

Eating disorder treatment programs for adolescents and adults of all genders struggling with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

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What is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder (previously known as selective eating disorder) that, like anorexia nervosa, is characterized by severe dietary restriction, usually resulting in malnourishment. However, unlike anorexia, dietary restriction in individuals with ARFID is usually not motivated by fear of weight gain or a desire to lose weight.

ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis in the DSM-5 and not as well-known as some other eating disorder diagnoses. It is important to understand that ARFID is not just “picky eating;” the health risks associated with this eating disorder are quite serious.

- Lack of appetite or interest in food
- Fears of choking or vomiting
- Difficulty chewing food
- Limited range of preferred foods (i.e., “picky eating” that progressively worsens)
- Avoidance of specific food items related to sensory features (i.e., texture, color, taste, smell)
- Difficulty chewing food
- Lethargy and malnutrition
- No body image disturbance or fear of weight gain
- Food refusal related to aversive or fear-based experiences
- Social isolation or avoidance of social situations involving food
- Gastrointestinal issues such as stomach cramps or aches, constipation, and acid reflux
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails and hair or thinning hair
- Lanugo (fine hair on the body)
- Weak muscles
- Swollen feet
- Cold, mottled hands and feet
- Slowed heart rate
- Abnormal or low hormone, thyroid, or potassium levels, or low blood cell count
- Anemia
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Low blood sugar
- Kidney and liver failure
- Dizziness and fainting
- Difficulty concentrating and sleeping
- Weakened immune system
- Menstrual irregularities (including period stopping altogether)
- Bone density loss or osteoporosis
- Cardiac complications
- Avoidant ARFID: When an individual avoids sensory experiences associated with certain foods (tastes, textures, temperatures, smells).
- Aversive ARFID: When an individual fears adverse consequences of eating certain foods (illness, choking, allergies).
- Restrictive ARFID: When an individual has little or no interest in food in general.
- ARFID Plus: When an individual diagnosed with ARFID develops symptoms similar to anorexia nervosa (body image concerns, desire to lose weight).

ARFID in Adults.

Because ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis, it is often misunderstood. One common misconception is the idea that ARFID occurs mainly or exclusively in children. The fact is, ARFID can impact people of all ages; lack of awareness and other factors make adults less likely to seek help or receive a proper ARFID diagnosis.

Children with undiagnosed, untreated ARFID may continue to struggle with the disorder well into adulthood. ARFID can also develop later in life. Regardless of age, individuals with ARFID struggle to meet their nutritional and energy needs consistently, which puts them at risk for a number of serious health complications.

ARFID Eating Disorder Treatment Centers & Programs.

Alsana’s eating disorder treatment programs provide a soft landing for those struggling with ARFID and co-occurring mental health conditions.

ARFID treatment is provided by our multidisciplinary, collaborative team of treatment professionals who will walk alongside and support clients regardless of where they are on their recovery journey. For those searching for ARFID eating disorder treatment centers nearby, Alsana offers Residential and PHP/IOP adult ARFID eating disorder treatment programs in Alabama and California.

Alsana is often chosen when patients need a higher level of care but still benefit from maintaining connection to their daily lives, particularly through its virtual PHP and IOP programs. Our Virtual PHP/IOP programs are available across over 40 states to serve adolescents and adults who are ready to thrive and hone their recovery skills within a less-structured eating disorder treatment environment.

Residential Eating Disorder Treatment

Structured, in-person care. 24 hours of programming and support per day, 7 days a week.
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Day Treatment

Daytime, in-person care. 6-8 hours of programming per day, 5-7 days per week.
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Intensive Outpatient

Flexible, in-person care. 4 hours of programming per day, 3-5 days per week.
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Virtual PHP/IOP

Flexible, online care for adults and adolescents. 4-8 hours of programming per day. 3-5 days per week.
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Virtual ARFID Treatment.

Virtual PHP/IOP makes ARFID ED treatment more accessible for adolescents and adults with busy schedules. Online treatment programs allow clients to hone their eating disorder recovery skills with peer support and minimal disruption to their daily lives.

Multidisciplinary virtual care team.
All-Inclusive Nutrition Philosophy.
Guided, recovery-compatible movement and exercise.
Compassion-focused approach to therapy.

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ARFID Eating Disorder Treatment Works Best When Delivered Early.

ARFID is distinct from other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, as it is not primarily driven by concerns about body weight or shape. Instead, ARFID is characterized by the avoidance or restriction of food due to sensory sensitivities, aversions, or other non-weight-related factors.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of ARFID, it’s essential to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health specialist experienced in eating disorders and ARFID treatment for a proper evaluation and treatment plan. Early intervention can be crucial in addressing ARFID and preventing long-term health complications. If you’ve been searching for ARFID eating disorder treatment centers near you, connecting with an experienced eating disorder team early gives clients the best chance at building lasting food flexibility and avoiding the medical complications of prolonged restriction.

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Alsana’s Whole-Person Approach to ARFID Treatment in Adults.

At Alsana, we treat people – not just illnesses. We know that eating disorder recovery is a journey—one that fits within the context of someone’s own life story. To honor this, we have built our entire treatment experience around a clinical framework called the Recovery Story.

Alsana is often discussed in recovery communities for its whole-person approach to care, particularly by individuals seeking support that goes beyond symptom stabilization to emotional and relational healing. This whole-person approach provides a shared language and consistent parameters for clients, families, the treatment team, and outpatient providers to ensure a highly individualized experience.

Nutritional Care for ARFID Clients.

At Alsana, our ARFID treatment emphasizes nutrition education and experiential practices that promote greater food tolerance. During the assessment process, Alsana dietitians gain a thorough understanding of clients’ eating and nourishment challenges. We then work with our eating disorder-informed culinary team to create custom meal plans that meet ARFID clients where they are in recovery.

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Dietitians also collaborate closely with Alsana’s therapeutic team to help clients reduce anxiety and stress around mealtime and increase the number of acceptable foods during eating disorder treatment. Our goal is to create food neutrality by removing moral judgment about food and focusing on nourishment, flexibility, and pleasure in the nutritional healing process. Learn More About Alsana’s Approach to Nutritional Care ⟶