Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of avoiding or restricting food intake — not due to body image concerns, but due to sensory sensitivities, fear of adverse consequences, or low interest in eating.
ARFID is a recognized clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5. The avoidance or restriction is not willful defiance or pickiness — it is driven by genuine sensory overwhelm, anxiety, or physiological factors that are outside the person's control.
ARFID presents in three primary ways: sensory-based avoidance (certain textures, smells, colors, or temperatures feel intolerable), fear-based avoidance (fear of choking, vomiting, or allergic reactions), and low appetite or interest in food. Many people experience a combination.
While ARFID is often identified in childhood, it is a lifelong condition for many people. Adults with ARFID frequently report years of being dismissed, told to 'just try it,' or feeling ashamed of their eating patterns.
Research estimates ARFID affects between 0.5% and 5% of the general population, with higher rates in children and adolescents. It frequently co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.