Are you or somebody close to you experiencing extreme picky eating that does not seem to get better? Typically children grow out of picky eating around ages 5-6. People, children, teens, and adults with ARFID engage in restricted eating or extremely picky eating and do not grow out of it. This condition was previously called Selective Eating Disorder. Restricted eating is not due to concerns about weight gain. If you are experiencing the following, we can help:
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Sensory issues with different foods, being repulsed by the smell, appearance, texture, taste
Lack of interest in eating, not feeling hungry, forgetting to eat
Fear of aversive consequences, fear of choking, vomiting, pain, or other gastrointestinal (GI) issues
Significant weight loss
Significant nutritional deficiencies
Dependence of tube feeding or supplement drinks
Psychosocial impairment not finding foods to eat when outside, not being able to eat with friends or family
Symptoms of ARFID can range from mild to severe. We will assess which presentation(s) is/are present. For example, is ARFID maintained because of sensory issues, lack of interest in food, and/or fear that something bad will happen if you eat outside foods you are comfortable with. We will then tailor treatment for your specific needs.
We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat ARFID. The goal is to learn to increase the range and quantity of foods that you will eat so that you can meet your nutritional needs, maintain healthy weight, and decrease psychosocial impairment so that you can live a healthy and fulfilling life. Let’s work on getting you back on track.
How We Can Help:
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for ARFID
Cognitive Tools
Challenging your beliefs about eating a range of foods
Behavioral Tools
Increasing the range of foods a little at a time
Resources
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid
ARFID - National Eating Disorders Association
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFW1fm_B1lo
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