Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder symptoms
A dearth of appetite and a refusal to consume food.
Food aversion based on sensory characteristics including texture, appearance, and scent.
Anxiety or concern regarding the aftereffects of digestion, such as vertigo, choking, vomiting, constipation, an allergic reaction, and so on. As a result of a traumatic event, such as fainting or food poisoning, the individual may avoid consuming a wider variety of foods.
The following symptoms must be present in order to diagnose ARFID:
Children who lose a significant quantity of weight (or who don’t gain as much as expected) are considered to be underweight.
Significant nutritional deficiencies exist.
Oral nutritional supplements or a feeding tube are required to ensure adequate nutrition.
Interference with social functioning (such as eating alone).
Physical and mental effects, as well as malnutrition levels, can be comparable to anorexia nervosa. ARFID differs from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa because ARFID is not characterized by excessive preoccupation with body shape or weight. Similarly, although individuals with autism spectrum disorder frequently exhibit rigid feeding or sensory sensitivity, they do not necessarily exhibit the level of impairment required for an ARFID diagnosis.
ARFID excludes food restrictions caused by a lack of food availability, normal dieting, developmentally normal behaviors such as selective eating in children, and cultural practices like religious fasting.
Food aversion or restriction typically begins in infancy or early childhood and can persist into adulthood. Nonetheless, it can develop at any age. ARFID can affect families regardless of the age of the afflicted individual, causing additional stress during mealtimes and social eating situations.
