Anxiety disorders are characterized by features of excessive fear and anxiety, as well as related behavioral disturbances. These symptoms are often not temporary and linger beyond typical expectations. Excessiveness of these symptoms is clinician diagnosed with cultural contexts taken into consideration.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by a persistent and relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and often pointless worry and apprehension. Individuals with this disorder typically worry about routine, everyday matters, such as health, finances, or the safety of family members, without any justified reason. For a diagnosis, this diffuse worrying must occur more days than not for a period of at least six months, not be attributable to another disorder, and be accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. It displays symptoms such as impaired communication, lack or impairment in social skills and interactions, and repeated patterns of behaviors that interfere with an individual's ability to cognitively function. These symptoms are almost always present in early development, and are considered to be on a 'spectrum' because of the differences in severity of these symptoms.


Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Boys tend to be diagnosed more often than girls by approximately 4x. There is also an overrepresentation of transgender or gender nonconforming people with ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are defined as intrusive and unwanted thoughts, mental images, fears, sensations, or urges. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform, often in response to an obsession. These cycles of obsessions and compulsions are typically distressing, time-consuming, and can significantly disrupt a person's daily activities.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Several mental and physical health conditions are commonly comorbid with ARFID, and may potentially contribute to its symptoms: 

- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder 
- Internet gaming disorder
- Anxiety disorders 
- Abdominal pain or other somatic issues
- Drug use

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A disorder commonly found in children, ARFID can be described as extremely picky eating, though fear foods differ significantly from those with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Although ARFID involves food restriction and thus shares some features with anorexia nervosa, the fear and restriction surrounding food is not due to concerns about weight or body image. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Bourne, L., Bryant-Waugh, R., Cook, J., & Mandy, W. (2020). Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: A systematic scoping review of the current literature. Psychiatry Research, 288, 112961.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Current Literature

Physical consequences of ARFID vary due to an individual's age. Common symptoms are:

-  Gastroenterological distress
- Inadequate or slowed growth
- Low weight
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain when eating
- Nutrient deficiencies

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Consequences

Although the data surrounding specific risk factors for ARFID is unclear, some patterns are seen among those who develop the disorder. ARFID is most commonly seen among children, and tends to be more prevalent in males than in females. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Demographic Risk Factors

The prevalence of ARFID is largely understudied, and estimates vary wildly. In clinical cohorts on patients with eating disorders, there is an estimated prevalence of 1.5% to 64%. In the general population, the range is estimated to be from <1% to 1.5%, with an estimated 0.3% prevalence among adults. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Prevalence

The DSM-5 has recognized three types of ARFID based on the driving forces behind the avoidant/restrictive eating. However, it is important to note that these driving forces may coincide with one another and that there are likely additional factors that may contribute to the development and progression of ARFID: 

1. Lack of interest
2. Sensory avoidance
3. Fear of aversive consequences

Types and Driving Forces of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Screening and diagnostic tests for ARFID are relatively new, but data supports the validity of the following tests: 

- Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI)
- Eating Disorder Examination - ARFID Module (EDE-ARFID)
- Eating Disturbances in Youth Questionnaire (EDY-Q)
- Nine Item ARFID Screen (NIAS)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Diagnostic/Screening Test

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Comorbid Conditions

Although ARFID shares many similarities with other eating disorders, it also differs in various ways. Unlike most other eating disorders, ARFID is not related to body image or weight concerns. Furthermore, ARFID tends to be more persistent than other eating disorders which commonly develop in adolescence or early adulthood, while ARFID frequently presents in children or even infants. ARFID patients generally tend to report a poorer mental health related quality of life in comparison to patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but are also at a lower risk of comorbid mood disorders.

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