Multidisciplinary Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Abstract

Given that research into the treatment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is in its early phases, there is a paucity of evidence-based guidelines directing best practices. However, there is still a need for clinicians to access summations of literature to guide clinical decision-making. Early data on the treatment of ARFID highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team that can provide medical, pharmacologic, nutritional, and psychological care. While medical treatment is often informed by care guidelines for other eating disorders, pharmacological management often focuses on ARFID's psychiatric comorbidities. The psychological treatments with the strongest current evidence for ARFID include family-based therapy for young children, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for older children, adolescents, and adults. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2024;54(2):e51–e55.]