ARFID AND OTHER DIAGNOSES

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COMORBIDITY

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ARFID is often associated with other psychiatric disorders. Studies to date suggest that it is most commonly associated with anxiety disorders, including OCD and trauma-related disorders such as PTSD (30-40%), neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and various behavioural disorders. Co-occurrence with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is also reported to be very common. Sensory hypersensitivity is most commonly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Gastrointestinal symptoms (13%) and food allergies, fear of choking/vomiting were also more common than in other eating disorders. 

At the same time, various mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) were less frequent than in other eating disorders.

 

 

Research suggests that among all children and adolescents with eating disorders, around 14% have ARFID, who are generally younger than children diagnosed with other eating disorders, but have a longer period of illness before diagnosis than those with other eating disorders. In addition, an important feature is that the average body weight of the ARFID group is somewhere between those diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia, but still low. The diagnosis of ARFID should be preceded by the same assessment and diagnostic process as for other eating disorders, as patients may face the same medical risks later in life