Online ARFID Test - Picky Eater or Something Else?

Thank you for taking our ARFID eating disorder quiz! Below is a little bit more information about ARFID eating disorder as well as links to mental health professionals who can help you.

Picky Eater or Something Else?

Are you or do you know someone who is an extremely picky eater, or Is it something more? There is a line where picky eating can turn dangerous, where medical and psychological intervention may be necessary. This condition is called Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID.

Here are some differences between a picky eater and a person with ARFID. A person with ARFID:

1. May have sudden or significant weight loss
2. Struggles to gain weight (specially true for children) and falls behind normal growth trajectory
3. May be reliant on feeding tubes or liquid diets to obtain proper nutrition
4. May have interference with psychosocial functioning, such as being around certain foods or social situations
5. Can be triggered by a specific event or fear that arises, such as the fear of vomiting
6. Show a lack of interest in food or eating

What is ARFID?

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID, is a somewhat new diagnosis in the DSM-5.

According to Amy Boyers:

"ARFID is unique for every individual. For some people, it could look like avoiding certain colors or textures of food, an avoidance of a specific food out of fear of nausea or vomiting, or or a fear of general classes of foods such as all fruits. ARFID is generally developed by a person fearing choking or vomiting. In some cases, a person had a traumatic experience that created this fear. It is recommended that an individual with these symptoms be evaluated by a speech therapist who is an expert in swallowing disorders to make sure that there is not a medical issue related to their ability to swallow.

While “picky eaters” disorders are typically found in children and adolescents, it can affect people at any age or developmental level. For adults who are “picky eaters”, they might only eat 10 to 20 different foods."

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for ARFID

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), or DSM-5, outlines the following criteria for a ARFID diagnosis:

• A patient has no other mental disorders or medical conditions
• The patient's eating can include a lack of interest in eating or food intake
• A patient will refuse to eat foods because of their appearance, smell, texture, or taste.
• A patient will worry about the results or consequences of eating
• A patient will fail to meet their required caloric intake, which causes weight loss or an inability to gain weight. For younger patients, a lower caloric intake may stunt their growth milestones.
• A patient will have nutritional deficiencies, which may necessitate the use of enteral feeding, a method of feeding that uses the gastrointestinal tract to deliver caloric requirements
• A patient will have disrupted social functioning, such as stress during meals or avoiding social activities where food is present

Important Note: ARFID is not caused by a lack of food or a cultural practice of fasting or not eating certain foods. ARFID is also different from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa because there is no perceived distorted body image in patients of ARFID.

ARFID Treatment

There are several different ways to treat ARFID. A doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following: Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Group Therapy, and Family-Based Treatment.

Eating disorders are extremely serious. While it may be tempting to write off ARFID as nothing more than picky eating, it can drastically affect your health or the health of your loved one. ARFID can lead to dramatic weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, social anxieties, and a decreased quality of life.

If you need help, there is hope! Reach out to a mental health professional that treats ARFID