ARFID in Adults: Can You Develop It Later in Life?
When most people hear about ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), they may picture a child who has always been a selective eater. While ARFID often begins in childhood, that isn't always the case. Some people develop symptoms during their late teens or adulthood, even if they didn't experience significant eating difficulties when they were younger.
Understanding the possible causes of ARFID can be an important first step toward recognizing what's happening and finding appropriate support. For adults experiencing new or worsening food avoidance, ARFID in adults can look different depending on what contributed to the onset.
What Can Cause ARFID in Adults?
There isn't one single cause of ARFID. Instead, food avoidance can develop for a variety of reasons, and stressful or difficult experiences may play a role in triggering symptoms.
Some possible ARFID causes include:
● Increased anxiety: Significant stress or anxiety can contribute to physical symptoms such as nausea, stomach discomfort, or other gastrointestinal issues. When eating repeatedly becomes associated with feeling sick or uncomfortable, certain foods or eating itself may begin to feel unsafe.
● A frightening experience with food: A traumatic experience, such as choking, can lead to an intense fear of eating or of experiencing the same thing again. Even after the immediate danger has passed, the fear can continue to affect someone's relationship with food.
● Fear of contamination or illness: For some people, obsessive-compulsive symptoms involving germs and cleanliness can develop into fears about food contamination or foodborne illness. These fears may eventually lead to avoiding particular foods or eating situations.
● Chronic illness: Living with a chronic illness can make eating difficult, particularly when certain foods become associated with pain, nausea, or other symptoms. In some cases, food aversions can continue even after the illness is in remission.
ARFID in Adults May Not Always Look Like "Picky Eating"
Adult ARFID can sometimes be misunderstood as simply being a picky eater. However, ARFID involves more than having strong food preferences. Someone may significantly restrict their food intake because of fear of choking, concerns about becoming sick, sensory sensitivities, or a lack of interest in eating.
For adults, these patterns can have a meaningful impact on nutrition, social experiences, relationships, and overall quality of life. You may find yourself avoiding restaurants, struggling to eat around other people, or relying on a limited number of "safe" foods.
Recognizing these patterns can help you understand that you're not simply being difficult or overly selective. There may be underlying reasons for your food avoidance that deserve support.
Therapy for ARFID
If you are experiencing significant food avoidance or believe you may have ARFID, you don't have to navigate it alone. Therapy for ARFID can provide a supportive environment to better understand the fears, experiences, and thought patterns contributing to food restriction.
Treatment can help you work toward a more comfortable relationship with food while addressing the anxiety or other concerns that may be maintaining your symptoms. Your treatment plan should be individualized to your experiences and needs.
ARFID can develop at different stages of life, and recognizing the signs as an adult is an important step. If eating has become increasingly stressful, restrictive, or fear-based, therapy can help. If you're located in MA, RI, VT, or NH, I may be able to help. Contact me today for a free consultation to learn more about treatment for eating disorders.
