Eating Disorder Treatment

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a unique challenge that goes beyond mere pickiness. ARFID can be centered around a limited range of accepted foods, often rooted in sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences, or a lack of interest in eating. ARFID treatment can help people to become more able to eat a wider variety of foods, meet their nutritional needs and feel comfortable in diverse food situations.

Image of a mountain, representing the difficulties of overcoming bulimia nervosa

Maybe you tell yourself you want to try new foods, but the thought of eating something unfamiliar feels overwhelming. Or you avoid certain textures, smells, or colors because they make eating feel unbearable. You want to eat more freely, but the fear feels too strong to ignore.

If you are struggling with ARFID, you likely have a complicated relationship with food. Everyone’s experience with ARFID is different, and your journey is unique. Maybe you feel anxious or fearful around eating, even when you’re hungry. Or you might experience shame or frustration because of how limited your diet has become.

Real change is possible.

Person smiling after going to Monarch Wellness for ARFID treatment, online counseling, Washington DC
Person of color, proud of ARFID recovery with Monarch Wellness, online counseling in Maryland

Understanding Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating that is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape. It can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, or interference with daily functioning.

Learn more about the physical, mental & emotional, and behavioral symptoms of ARFID below.

Specific Symptoms of ARFID

    • Unexplained weight loss or failure to gain weight (especially in children)

    • Fatigue or low energy levels

    • Dizziness or fainting due to inadequate nutrition

    • Gastrointestinal issues (constipation, bloating, stomach pain)

    • Cold intolerance due to malnutrition

    • Dry skin, brittle nails, and hair thinning

    • Weak immune system, leading to frequent illnesses

    • Anxiety around food or eating situations

    • Strong aversion to certain textures, colors, or smells of food

    • Fear of choking, vomiting, or experiencing an allergic reaction (without a medical basis)

    • Intense distress when faced with new or unfamiliar foods

    • Lack of interest in eating or forgetting to eat

    • Increased irritability or mood swings due to inadequate nutrition

    • Eating a very limited range of foods (often avoiding entire food groups)

    • Extreme pickiness that goes beyond typical childhood preferences

    • Avoidance of social events involving food

    • Taking excessively long to eat meals or needing distractions to eat

    • Reliance on specific food preparation methods (e.g., only eating food a certain way)

    • Frequent refusal to eat, leading to tension at mealtimes

Image of a mountain, representing the difficulties of overcoming bulimia nervosa

Counseling Can Help You Find Freedom From ARFID

During eating disorder treatment we work with you to help you gain control over the symptoms of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). We help you understand how fear, sensory sensitivities, and anxiety around food are contributing to your eating challenges. Monarch therapists understand ARFID and the ways it impacts your daily life. Ultimately, our goal is to help you build a healthier, more comfortable relationship with food.

Each of our therapists at Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy takes a personalized approach to ARFID treatment. We recognize that everyone’s experience with ARFID is different. Therefore, we tailor our treatment approach to fit the unique needs of each person we work with. By understanding the emotional and sensory factors that contribute to food avoidance, we can help you find alternative ways to feel safe, in control, and nourished. Monarch therapists take an active approach to treatment, encouraging you to reach out when you feel overwhelmed or stuck in your progress.

We take a unique approach to ARFID

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    ACT is a type of therapy that helps you to focus on what kind of values are important to you as a person. Then we look at how they might be different than the values of your eating disorder. During ACT you will also learn mindfulness which is a skill that keeps you anchored in the present instead of dwelling in the past or worrying about the future.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    CBT helps you think more realistically about your body and food. We all have unhelpful thoughts that are not actually realistic. Some of us might think in terms of all or nothing, assume the worst, or jump to conclusions. All of these thought patterns are things that can fuel the cycle of bulimia. CBT helps you to reality-check the way you’re thinking and learn new ways to cope with negative emotions.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    DBT focuses on changing your behavior and accepting yourself as you are. It also offers skills for managing overwhelming feelings, improving relationships, and being mindful. There is lots of research showing that DBT is a very successful way to treat bulimia.

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    During Psychodynamic Therapy we examine the ways past events affect your present reality. The focus of psychodynamic therapy for bulimia is to understand what has caused your eating disorder and helps you rewrite your future with new, different experiences.

Person looking at the mountains seeing how far they have come healing from ARFID with Monarch Wellness, counseling, Maryland, online, in person

Healing from ARFID

After treatment for ARFID, you will have the tools to navigate food-related anxiety and sensory challenges with greater confidence. You will also develop self-compassion as you work toward expanding your food choices. Additionally, your relationships with others may improve as mealtimes become less stressful. Ultimately, we hope you will find freedom from the fear and avoidance that once controlled your relationship with food.

Ready to start your healing journey?

Schedule an appointment with Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy today. We’re here to support you every step of the way toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.