Ever known a kid who isn't picky about food for the usual reasons, but genuinely feels frightened or overwhelmed by certain textures, smells, or the thought of choking? That's what avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) can look like. A recent study tested a specially designed cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT-AR) with 10 to 17 year olds who had ARFID, giving them 20-30 sessions either with their family or one-on-one. The results were encouraging: 85% of kids were rated as much or very much improved, they tried an average of nearly 17 new foods, underweight participants gained weight, and 70% no longer met the criteria for ARFID by the end.
Why does this matter if you're dealing with OCD? ARFID and OCD both involve the brain getting stuck on fear and avoidance — whether that's avoiding a feared food or a feared thought. This study shows that structured, gradual exposure-based therapy can genuinely retrain those anxious patterns, offering real hope that avoidance doesn't have to be permanent. It's also a reminder that specialist, evidence-based treatment matters, and ARFID care usually involves a team including medical and dietetic support alongside psychological therapy.
If anxiety or avoidance is affecting you or your family, please don't wait to reach out for support.