DR MARIANNE MILLER
CARING EATING DISORDER TREATMENT IN SAN DIEGO AND THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, AND WASHINGTON D.C. FOR ADULTS & TEENS
Why ARFID Isn’t Picky Eating: Signs, Symptoms, and Misconceptions
When people hear about ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, they often brush it off as picky eating. At first glance, it can look similar: limited foods, refusals at mealtimes, resistance to trying new things. But this assumption is not only inaccurate, it can also be harmful. ARFID is a serious eating disorder that deserves recognition, understanding, and treatment. In this post, we will look closely at what ARFID is, how it differs from picky eating, the signs and symptoms to watch for, and why this distinction is essential for recovery and support.
Autism & Anorexia: When Masking Looks Like Restriction, and Recovery Feels Unsafe
What if restrictive behaviors instead reflect a way to survive a world that overwhelms your nervous system?
For many autistic people, anorexia is misunderstood. It’s not always about thinness or body image. Restriction can serve as a way to manage sensory overload, social pressure, and the exhausting demands of masking.
The Complexities of Treating ARFID: How a Neurodivergent-Affirming, Sensory-Attuned Approach Works
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is one of the most misunderstood and often mischaracterized eating disorders, particularly when it presents in neurodivergent individuals. As a neurodivergent therapist specializing in ARFID treatment for both teens and adults in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and elsewhere, I’ve seen firsthand how standard treatment approaches often fall short. Models that rely on compliance, exposure, and fixed food goals frequently miss the root causes of food avoidance.
Living With Adult ARFID: The Relationship Challenges No One Talks About
When most people hear the term ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, they often imagine children. ARFID is commonly misunderstood as a temporary phase of picky eating. In reality, many adults live with ARFID as a long-term, serious eating disorder that affects far more than just food. It shapes how people relate to their bodies, their emotions, and their relationships.
Adult ARFID can affect every area of life, including dating, long-term partnerships, parenting, friendships, and professional settings. Such relationship challenges are rarely discussed, even though they are often a source of chronic stress and grief. In this blog post, I explore how adult ARFID intersects with connection, autonomy, and sensory food issues, especially from a neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed perspective.