ARFID (Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) Treatment

Are you or a loved one struggling with ARFID? Our luxury Las Vegas facility offers specialized treatment to help you overcome this eating disorder and reclaim your health.

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Virtue Recovery Center treatment centers work closely with most major insurance companies across the U.S. Our financial services staff will work with you and your insurance company to determine a financial plan to make treatment possible. Many insurance providers have deemed Virtue Recovery Center treatment centers “centers of excellence.”

Virtue Recovery treatment centers are proud to be recognized by multiple insurance providers for our leadership, best practices, research, support, and training in the eating disorder treatment field.

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What is ARFID (Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)?

ARFID stands for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It’s an eating disorder where people avoid or restrict certain foods because of issues like fear of choking, disgust with certain textures, or not feeling hungry. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not about body image or weight concerns. Instead, people with ARFID often limit their food intake due to sensory issues, trauma, or negative experiences with food. ARFID can lead to serious health problems because the body doesn’t get enough nutrients. This can cause weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and other medical complications. Many people with ARFID also experience anxiety or fear around food, which can make everyday activities like eating with others challenging. With proper treatment, however, people with ARFID can learn to overcome their fears and start developing a healthier relationship with food.

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INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING for ARFID

Individual counseling is an essential part of ARFID treatment. During these one-on-one sessions, you’ll work closely with a therapist to explore the reasons behind your food avoidance or restrictions. Whether it’s related to sensory issues, anxiety, or past negative experiences, your therapist will help you understand the root causes of your ARFID. In a supportive, non-judgmental space, you’ll learn to manage the emotions and fears that come with this eating disorder. Modalities of treatment for ARFID usually consist of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI) therapy.

Over time, your therapist will guide you in developing new coping strategies for your food-related challenges. You’ll work together to gradually introduce new foods into your diet, building confidence and reducing the anxiety associated with eating. These personalized sessions are designed to help you feel more comfortable around food and improve your overall relationship with eating.

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT for ARFID

For individuals struggling with severe ARFID, residential treatment at our luxury Las Vegas facility offers a safe and supportive environment for healing. Here, you’ll receive 24/7 care from a team of experts specializing in treating eating disorders. With a structured daily routine that includes therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical care, you can focus fully on your recovery without the distractions and stress of daily life.

Our Las Vegas facility provides a comfortable, calming setting that promotes relaxation and healing. In addition to individual therapy, you’ll participate in group activities that allow you to connect with others facing similar challenges. The residential program is designed to give you the time and space to overcome ARFID while building the skills you need for long-term recovery. Whether it’s learning new eating habits or managing anxiety around food, residential treatment gives you the tools to succeed.

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FAMILY STYLE treatment for aRFID

Family plays an important role in ARFID treatment, and our family-style approach helps you and your loved ones work together in the recovery process. In family therapy sessions, we guide open and honest communication about your eating disorder. Family members learn how to support you in a way that helps while understanding the challenges you face with food. This process strengthens relationships and creates a solid support system at home.

It’s also important for family members to have the tools they need to support long-term recovery. In these sessions, we help families create a positive, stress-free environment around meals and daily life. Family involvement can make a big difference in your recovery, ensuring that you have ongoing support even after treatment ends. Families can help you feel more comfortable and confident with food by working together.

Trauma-informed care for ARFID

For many people with ARFID, trauma or past negative experiences can play a role in their fear of food. Our trauma-informed care approach helps you address those underlying issues in a safe, supportive setting. We understand that addressing trauma can be difficult, so we ensure that every step of your treatment is done with care and compassion. In these sessions, you’ll explore how trauma has influenced your relationship with food and work on building healthier coping mechanisms.

Trauma-informed care focuses on healing the mind and body, providing a holistic approach to your recovery. By addressing trauma, we help you move past the fears and anxieties that contribute to ARFID. You’ll learn to manage your emotions in a way that makes food feel less threatening and more manageable. This type of care ensures that your treatment addresses the full scope of your physical and emotional needs for lasting recovery. Get started with treatment at our luxury center on Corbett Street or our outpatient center on Montessouri Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Eating Disorder General Statistics

FAQs About ARFID & Treatment

What are the symptoms of ARFID?

Symptoms include extreme picky eating, fear of choking, and avoiding certain textures or foods.

Is ARFID the same as picky eating?

While they seem similar, ARFID is more severe and can lead to significant health problems, unlike typical picky eating.

How is ARFID diagnosed?

ARFID is diagnosed by a healthcare professional by evaluating your eating habits, health history, and symptoms.

Can ARFID affect children and adults?

Yes, ARFID can affect both children and adults, though it often begins in childhood.

No, ARFID is not linked to concerns about body image or weight, which separates it from other eating disorders.

What causes ARFID?

ARFID can be caused by sensory sensitivities, past negative experiences with food, or fear of choking or vomiting.

Can ARFID be treated?

With proper treatment, individuals can overcome ARFID and develop a healthier relationship with food.

What role does therapy play in ARFID treatment?

Therapy helps address the underlying reasons behind food avoidance and teaches coping strategies to manage those fears.

How does nutritional counseling help with ARFID?

Nutritional counseling helps ensure you get the right nutrients and supports introducing new foods into your diet.

Is residential treatment necessary for ARFID?

Residential treatment is recommended for severe cases of ARFID where medical and emotional care are needed full-time.

How does family therapy help with ARFID?

Family therapy helps educate and support family members in creating a positive, non-stressful eating environment.

Can ARFID lead to health problems?

Yes, ARFID can cause serious health issues like malnutrition, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies.

What is trauma-informed care for ARFID?

Trauma-informed care addresses the role that past negative experiences or trauma play in ARFID and helps heal those wounds.

What foods do people with ARFID typically avoid?

People with ARFID may avoid certain textures, colors, or food groups due to sensory sensitivity or fear of eating.

How long does ARFID treatment take?

The length of treatment varies, but recovery is a gradual process that may take months or longer, depending on the individual.

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Glossary of Key Terms in ARFID Treatment

ARFID

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) involves extreme avoidance or restriction of certain foods, not driven by body image concerns. It often stems from fear of choking, sensory sensitivities, or lack of interest in eating.

Selective Eating

Selective eating refers to having a very narrow range of accepted foods. In ARFID, this behavior goes beyond picky eating and can result in malnutrition or significant anxiety.

Sensory Sensitivity

Some individuals with ARFID avoid foods based on texture, smell, color, or taste. This heightened sensitivity can cause distress and severely limit food choices.

Nutritional Deficiency

Nutritional deficiency happens when the body lacks essential vitamins or minerals due to a limited diet. In ARFID, deficiencies can lead to stunted growth in children and health problems in adults.

Failure to Thrive

This term is often used in pediatric care when a child does not gain weight or grow at the expected rate. ARFID is one of the eating disorders most associated with failure to thrive.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy involves gradually and safely introducing feared or avoided foods in treatment. Over time, this helps reduce anxiety and expand the range of accepted foods.

Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy is a structured approach, often used with children, to make eating more positive and less stressful. It combines behavioral strategies with nutritional support.

Avoidance Behaviors

Avoidance behaviors are strategies used to stay away from certain foods or eating situations. In ARFID, avoidance can be linked to fear of choking, past traumatic experiences, or sensory issues.

Multidisciplinary Team

ARFID treatment requires collaboration between therapists, dietitians, medical providers, and sometimes occupational therapists. This team approach ensures that both psychological and nutritional needs are met.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention in ARFID treatment focuses on maintaining progress in expanding food variety, managing anxiety, and preventing old patterns from returning. It equips clients and families with long-term tools for success.