It’s Not Just Picky Eating: ARFID in Adults

I have lost count of how many times I have heard, “Just try it, you might like it.” For some people, that is harmless encouragement. For others, especially those who are neurodivergent, it can be the fastest way to trigger panic, shutdown, or nausea.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is not stubbornness or a childhood phase. It is a complex relationship between body, brain, and sensory environment that can last a lifetime. I have seen how ARFID is misunderstood, minimized, or completely missed in adults both in my counseling work and in my own life.