(Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
This is the diagnosis formerly known as EDNOS, or Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified. Children do not always fit criteria (originally established for adults), and therefore many of them will fall into a broad category called ARFID. However, this is not a reason to be complacent.
Children with ARFID can be as ill as those who “meet full criteria”. Treatment should never be delayed for this reason. Criteria for ARFID (i.e. those who do not meet criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, per DSM-V):
- all criteria for anorexia nervosa, except has regular menses (if female)
- all criteria for anorexia nervosa, except weight still in normal range
- all criteria for bulimia nervosa, except binges twice a week or 3 times a month
- a patient with normal body weight who regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food (i.e. self-induced vomiting after eating 2 cookies)
- a patient who repeatedly chews and spits out large amounts of food without swallowing
- binge eating disorder: recurrent binges but does not engage in the inappropriate compensatory behaviors of bulimia nervosa
Kartini Clinic staff have extensive experience with this diagnosis and were involved in an update to the DSM-V. If you are looking for eating disorder help or would like more information about any of our eating disorder programs, please call us at 971-319-6800 and speak to our intake coordinators. You may also submit an online request below. We answer all requests promptly.
