Myth: ARFID only affects children
ARFID is frequently believed to only impact children and adolescents. The idea of being a “picky eater’’ (selective eater) is often associated with children. This can make it difficult to recognise and validate adults who suffer with ARFID. Although ARFID is more common, with more research done in children, it is not a childhood illness. ARFID can begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. A person can also transition from selective eating to ARFID at any age or developmental level. Lastly, ARFID can start at any age due to different triggers (such as trauma).
Myth: You have to be underweight to have ARFID
It is often assumed that if you restrict your intake, you must be underweight. However, ARFID is not an exclusively low weight eating disorder. This means that for some, weight and growth will be impacted. This is because there is a restriction in the over-all energy eaten. But for others, they may be normal or over-weight. This is due to their limited range of foods containing a large amount of calories (energy). A person with ARFID can be malnourished, with micronutrient deficiencies, and yet ‘look’ well nourished. It is important that for those with ARFID, a judgement about severity or risk is not based only on weight.
Myth: ARFID is just 'picky eating'.
ARFID is recognised as a mental health disorder in the manuals we use for diagnosing psychiatric difficulties (DSM-5 and IDC-11). There is more to ARFID than 'picky eating'. Selective eating is often a phase and does not produce any significant long-term consequences. With ARFID, a person avoids food to the point that their physical and psycho-social health is compromised. This is much more disruptive to a person’s life than selective eating is.
Myth: ARFID doesn’t cause serious health issues
ARFID can lead to severe consequences, including weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, growth delays in children, or an increased risk of medical complications like scurvy, osteoporosis and anaemia.
Myth: It’s the parents’ fault
Parents do not cause ARFID. Caring for a young person with ARFID is very difficult and challenging and it is not their fault. It is true to say that there are ways of approaching the challenges of ARFID which can be more, or less, helpful. But the most important message is that the support of families is part of the solution – not part of the problem.
Myth: It’s a choice – they’re just being difficult
Living with ARFID is very difficult. It negatively impacts your mental health, reduces your social opportunities, and significantly impacts your physical health. People living with ARFID are not choosing to live this way, they are not being difficult and they are not to blame.
Myth: Everyone with ARFID is autistic
Autistic people often have more sensory sensitivities. This means that ARFID is more common in autistic individuals. However, you can have ARFID without being autistic and you can be autistic without having ARFID.