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The Role of a Psychiatrist in ARFID Treatment
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
ARFID, or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, is an eating disorder that is characterized by a limited consumption of food based largely on sensory factors, such as textures, flavors, odors, and more. This can manifest as a lack of interest in eating, an aversion to eating certain foods or entire food groups, or the avoidance of foods altogether.
ARFID is a concerning eating disorder in that dangerous health consequences can develop as a result of inadequate nutrition. Some of the health concerns might include significant nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition, weight loss or failure to thrive in children, and an overall interference with psychosocial functioning.
Treatment Approaches for ARFID
A person struggling with ARFID is dealing with much more than meets the eye. On the surface, this may appear to be an extreme case of picky eating, but ARFID likely results from the combination of many different factors, including biological, psychosocial, environmental, and more. For this reason, treatment for ARFID must be comprehensive and include a variety of skilled professionals who can help address the many different factors that might be present.
Treatment for ARFID typically includes a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional interventions, and possibly medication management. In many instances, mood disorders can be present alongside ARFID, including anxiety and depression. Effectively treating and managing co-occurring mental illnesses can be an important aspect of treatment and for allowing a person to learn how to normalize eating behaviors.
For example, a person who has suffered a traumatic experience with eating in the past, may develop fear of eating certain foods. This experience coupled with anxiety can make eating a struggle and/or something that is avoided altogether. A professional treatment team must be able to examine the entire picture, treating the whole person comprehensively.
The Role of a Psychiatrist
Working with a psychiatrist can be an invaluable part of the recovery process for any eating disorder, including ARFID.
Beginning with the diagnosis of the eating disorder, a psychiatrist can assist with treatment planning, overseeing psychiatric and medication management, and in addressing any co-occurring disorders, like anxiety and depression.
Treatment programs that specialize in ARFID should have a comprehensive approach that involves multi-disciplines, including a psychiatrist. Overseeing the psychiatric care involved for ARFID treatment is fundamental to the healing and recovery process.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
How has a psychiatrist helped you through recovery from an eating disorder?
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 14, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
