The majority of people think ARFID or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder affects only children. ARFID maintains its presence in adults after childhood. Many adults endure ARFID symptoms of anxiety and physical discomfort and social detachment without identifying their experiences as a medical condition or accessing proper treatment.
Branz Nutrition Counseling offers outpatient nutrition counseling — both online and face-to-face. We are here to help you recover.
What is ARFID?
ARFID represents more than having a finicky eating habit. An eating disorder exists as a diagnosable condition that manifests through food avoidance reactions, texture aversion, or sensory-based fears that result in fear-based avoidance (such as choking or vomiting). The condition stands apart from body image concerns because it primarily involves anxiety-related and fear-based reactions, as well as sensory sensitivity issues that limit your ability to eat.
Signs & Symptoms of Adults with ARFID:
Early detection can make a difference in someone’s recovery. Adults and children don’t necessarily manifest ARFID in the same way. And many adults have spent years adapting to this condition without realizing they could get help to recover.
Adults with ARFID may:
Why ARFID Can Feel So Isolating as an Adult
People with ARFID commonly experience self-blame and feelings of being misunderstood by healthcare providers, as well as their partners and friends. You experience embarrassment when you need to explain your dietary constraints to others in social situations or professional environments. Medical professionals and others frequently tell you that your food aversion exists only in your mind or that you are being uncooperative.
But ARFID is not a choice. The medical community should acknowledge this condition as a real, treatable disorder that requires appropriate clinical care. At Branz, we offer education and eating disorder training sessions and presentations to educators, coaches, healthcare practitioners, and nutritionists.
How Can a Dietitian Help Adults with ARFID?
Branz Nutrition Counseling provides specialized training and outpatient medical nutrition therapy to treat ARFID across all age groups. Our team operates from a weight-inclusive, trauma-informed, and collaborative framework. Our team works as your ally to develop your comfort and confidence and food flexibility skills.
Overcome ARFID with guidance and support from expert ED Dietitians:
Here’s how we address common pain points:
Our RDs lead with curiosity, not criticism. The counseling environment we create enables you to discuss food-related experiences while avoiding feelings of self-shame.
Limited Safe Foods
Our staff uses exposure-based and sensory techniques to help you build a broader food selection at your own comfortable speed.
Social Isolation
Our planning process includes creating solutions for various life situations including travel and work gatherings and eating outside the home to help you feel ready instead of anxious.
Medical Concerns
The staff at our facility monitors your dietary requirements while making sure you get appropriate support from other healthcare providers when necessary.
Mental Load & Exhaustion
We establish efficient eating plans that match your busy schedule to reduce the mental strain of food-related decisions.
Medical Nutrition Therapy – Outpatient ARFID Treatment:
Are you ready to find less loneliness in your food experiences? ARFID treatment no longer needs to be your solitary experience since you have options for support.
We will begin our first step together, which will lead to increased comfort and trust while providing food freedom.
