22/08/2025
Over the past few days, many of our clinicians have been immersed in an ARFID workshop. A big thanks to the Right Care, Right Pathway project at Anglicare NT and Northern Territory phn for their support with increasing our capacity to work alongisde individuals and families experiencing eating difficulties and disorders.
At Flourish, we’ve noticed a significant increase in ARFID referrals over the past 12 months. We believe this reflects the growing awareness among parents and loved ones about the challenges people face with food.
What may once have been dismissed as “picky eating” or “defiant behaviour” is now better understood through the lens of:
💜 Safe foods
💛 Body autonomy
💚 Sensory needs
& ARFID impacts people of all ages and is almost as common in our population as anorexia but much less understood overall.
This shift matters! It helps individuals and families feel seen, reduces shame, and opens the door to supportive, affirming care.
As we move closer to Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (1–7 Sept), we’ll be sharing more about ARFID and other eating disorders and difficulties.
💗 Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported in their relationship with food 💗
Anglicare NT Northern Territory PHN
ARFID is a newly recognised eating disorder, which became an official diagnosis for adults and children in 2013. For 12-year-old Alex*, the diagnosis came as a relief after years bouncing around the medical system.
