Types of ARFID Treatment

What is ARFID?

ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis. It stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, but can be informally referred to as "Picky Eaters" Disorder.

In this post, we will highlight 5 different types of treatment for people struggling with ARFID. Depending on several factors including the symptoms and the goals of the patient, a therapist may recommend one or or several of the below treatments. The general goal of all of the below treatments is to restore weight to the patient and then by diversifying the types of foods eaten. Let's review 5 types of ARFID treatment.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a powerful type of therapy that targets the negative thoughts and behaviors behind a disorder. CBT is used in treating a wide-range of issues from addiction recovery to eating disorder treatment. In ARFID treatment, these strategies are often combined with relaxation training so that the person learns to relax the body while also practicing new thoughts and behaviors.

In exposure therapy, treatment-interfering behaviors can affect the process of recovery. Using cognitive behavioral therapy, therapists work with a patient to discover what underlies their condition. They help the patient to understand how their fear operates and how it’s triggered by food and eating.

2. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) empowers a patient to manage their emotions in a healthy way. Most importantly, it teaches patients how to manage their own distress so that they stop using self-destructive coping mechanisms. This can be very helpful to those with ARFID because re-introducing the foods they have not been eating can be quite overwhelming and distressing. In some cases, they will even gag or vomit when trying a new food, so it is important to develop strong, healthy coping skills as one tries to change the relationship with food.

3. Exposure Therapy

In this type of therapy, a therapist will gradually expose a patient to fear-inducing foods through mental visualization, writing, and verbally talking about them. Working from the least to the most anxiety-causing, the patient can gradually become more comfortable with the foods they fear.

The therapist will also give the patient coping tools and organize life practice sessions. They’ll likely combine the treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy to address anxiety and negative thought processes around food.

4. Group Therapy

Group therapy can be an important component of therapy for people with this disorder. It facilitates a supportive space in which to share meals with others and treat sensory issues. As treatment progresses, this might mean eating in a public place or visiting the grocery store as a group.

Being among those who struggle with similar issues is invaluable. It gives the patient an opportunity to immerse themselves in social situations with familiar and understanding peers.

5. Family Based Treatment

There is increasing evidence that Family Based Treatment (FBT) may be the most effective form of treatment for ARFID and there are several sites around the country researching this form of treatment. In this type of treatment, the family is intimately involved in helping the child reach his or her goals related to increasing their food intake. FBT was initially developed for the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa but for ARFID is tailored to meet the needs of this specific population. In some cases, the FBT may be combined with other treatment protocols that help the person develop more coping skills.

6. Personalized Nutrition Therapy for Treating ARFID

If you or a loved one are experiencing ARFID, nutrition therapy can help you lower your stress and increase joy around meal times, feel more at ease in social situations surrounding food, and ensure that your body is getting proper nutrition.

More Information

Thank you for reading the different types of ARFID. If you or a loved one are suffering from ARFID and searching for a "Clinical Psychologist near me", do not hesitate to contact me. There is hope for a better future!