Differential consideration
ARFID
F50.82Eating & Feeding
Why consider it
no body image disturbance; no fear of weight gain - critical distinction
Criteria and features to review
- A. Eating/feeding disturbance (apparent lack of interest; sensory-based avoidance; concern about aversive consequences) → persistent failure to meet nutritional/energy needs
- B. ≥1 of: significant weight loss/failure to gain weight; significant nutritional deficiency; dependence on enteral feeding/oral supplements; marked interference with psychosocial functioning
- C. Not better explained by food unavailability or culturally sanctioned practice
- D. Not occurring exclusively during anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
Questions to clarify
- Which documented criteria and exclusions are met for each possibility?
- What timeline, course, and functional change best distinguishes the alternatives?
- Are substance, medication, medical, developmental, and contextual explanations adequately assessed?