What We Treat Avoidant/Restrictive Eating (ARFID)

Selective eating, taken to an extreme,
disrupts health and happiness.

Highly Selective

Each of us have our preferences. If you struggle with ARFID, you are highly selective with your food choices. Over time, this can cause isolation and emotional harm, as those struggling with ARFID often avoid dining and eating with others.

ARFID: Signs and Symptoms

Behavioral and emotional symptoms of ARFID include, but are not limited to:

  • Extreme food avoidance: refuses to eat a variety of food
  • Extreme food restriction: eats very little each meal
  • Small range of desired foods that gets smaller over time
  • Consistent stomach aches or other complaints at mealtime
  • Social isolation
  • Extreme picky eater
  • Only eats food with specific taste or texture
  • Fear of choking or vomiting
  • Decreased appetite or total loss of interest in food and eating

Physical symptoms of ARFID include, but are not limited to:

  • Consistent gastrointestinal distress
  • Abnormal or absent menstruation
  • Muscular weakness
  • Thin, dry hair (may fall out)
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Presence of fine, downy hair on body
  • Abnormal lab results
  • Fatigue
  • Persistent coldness/cold hands
  • Impaired immunity
  • Sleep problems
  • Cold or swollen feet
  • Persistent minor illness

Treatment for ARFID

If you struggle with ARFID, our overall goal is to help you find a healthy, balanced way of life. Our evidence-based integrated treatment model includes individual, group, nutritional and family counseling, and complementary lifestyle supports such as yoga, mindfulness, sound therapy, and expressive therapies.

Find Control Without Losing Yourself

At Backcountry Wellness, we’ll create a customized treatment plan based on your unique goals and needs. With ARFID, our first goal is always nutrition: a healthy body supports a healthy brain.

Together, we’ll build a healthy relationship with food.


We’re Ready to Connect. Call Now.
Call (203) 992-1700