Breaking Down the Stigma Surrounding Eating Disorders: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Thrive • February 16, 2021

The end of February marks National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week ! Thrive is acknowledging common myths and misconceptions about various eating disorders in an effort to break down the stigma and raise awareness about eating disorders. This week, we are highlighting Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). ARFID is most often found in children under the age of 13. Children who suffer from AFRID have difficulty eating due to lack of interest in food, sensory aversions to food, or worry that something bad might happen to them if they eat, like choking, throwing up, or having pains. ARFID is sometimes misunderstood as being similar to anorexia nervosa, but unlike anorexia, ARFID is not due to concerns about weight, self-esteem, or body image.

Picky eating or ARFID?

Picky eating is extremely common in children. How do you know if your child has ARFID or is just a picky eater? Usually, children outgrow their picky eating habits or are able to meet their nutritional needs even if they are picky. But if a child has ARFID, they fail to gain weight, begin to lose weight, and or do not grow as expected. If you find your child’s palette becomes extremely restricted or they seem fearful or stressed in situations surrounding eating, then they may be struggling with AFRID.

The risk factors of ARFID 

Because ARFID is a fairly new diagnosis, researchers know much less about what puts someone at risk for developing it. But according to NEDA here’s what we know so far:

  • People with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities are much more likely to develop ARFID.

  • Children who don’t outgrow normal picky eating appear to be more likely to develop ARFID.

  • Many children with ARFID also have a co-occurring anxiety disorder and are at high risk for other psychiatric disorders.

Let’s play mythbusters

“All kids are picky eaters. My kid will only eat certain things but that’s normal.” FALSE! Some kids are picky eaters but here is what to look for…kids struggling with ARFID often have a fear of eating because they think it can cause them harm or they may not even be interested in food at all.

“They just know what foods they like and stick to them. My kid isn’t an adventurous eater that’s all.” FALSE! Most people with ARFID have a short list of safe foods they will eat because they suffered from a traumatic childhood experience such as choking, feeding issues as an infant, being born with their umbilical cord around their neck, etc.

“My kid is just a little behind on the growth curve, but they are probably just a late bloomer.” FALSE! While there are many reasons a child can be considered a “late bloomer” here’s what to look for to tell if it is ARFID. A big sign that a kid is struggling with ARFID is falling behind on the growth curve, constantly losing weight or not being able to gain weight.

Thrive don’t just survive! 

Thrive understands the complex psychological and physical effects that come with an eating disorder. That is why we use a multidisciplinary approach that addresses every part of the client — mind, body, and soul. We can help clients of all ages on their path to recovery by healing their relationship with themselves, their body, and food. Our clinicians specialize in working with young children and helping them overcome mental and physical health challenges like ARFID. Reach out to learn more.

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By Erin McGinty Fort, MS, MHA, CPC, LPC-S, CEDS-C December 18, 2025
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Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
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The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
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