Definition:
Children and teenagers with ARFID might restrict what they eat because they:
- have a low appetite or aren’t interested in eating
- are highly sensitive to the sensory aspects of eating – for example, the colour, smell, texture or taste of certain foods or most foods
- fear that something bad will happen when they eat – for example, pain, nausea, vomiting or choking.
Unlike children and teenagers with other eating disorders, children and teenagers with ARFID aren’t trying to lose weight or thinking about their body shape. They aren’t unhappy with their bodies.
Resource: Raising Children
See Eating Disorders
GENERAL INFO
Links and phone numbers throughout this site are live, tap to access.
Raising Children: AFRID 4-18 years
Nemours: ARFID
NEDA Feeding Hope: ARFID
SELF-HELP
Talk to your GP/doctor or contact Your Crew to
help you such as help you speak to your parents or get you to your doctor.
If you feel at immediate risk call 000
Call Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
See Eating Disorders
ReachOut: Support services for eating disorders
Butterfly: Support helpline
ReachOut: Recovering from an eating disorder
FORUMS, TOOLS & VIDEOS
Videos:
Nemours - Abigail's ARFID Story
Morgan Gale: I have ARFID
Malinda: My eating disorder you've never heard of
ARFID Insights: Episode 1
HELP OTHERS / CREW
Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to do to support someone. You may feel stressed or scared you'll say the wrong thing.
Remember your main role as Crew or a supportive friend or family is to listen, acknowledge and communicate support. That can mean calling a professional service such as Kids Helpline or, in an emergency, calling 000 They can also guide you on what to do.
See How to Ask If Your Friend Is OK video
If you are under 18 years old, you can also reach out to an adult or your Crew to help you support someone.
See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links
See Pathways to Help
See Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Hope: Parenting a child with ARFID: Warning signs & treatments
Nemours KidsHelath: ARFID - parents
Raising Children: 'Eating disorders' Pre-teens and teenagers
