Lifetime and current mental health based on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder history versus other eating disorder history in the Healthy Minds Study

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveResearch on psychiatric comorbidities associated with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) primarily compares ARFID versus anorexia nervosa (AN). Little is known about comorbidities associated with mixed ARFID/other eating disorder (ED) history or ARFID comorbidities relative to EDs beyond AN. This study assessed lifetime and current psychiatric factors in a large college sample with varying ED histories.MethodParticipants were United States students from the 2021/2022 Healthy Minds Study who endorsed lifetime professionally diagnosed EDs (N = 4657). Chi‐square tests compared lifetime ED groups (ARFID, ARFID + Non‐ARFID ED, Non‐ARFID ED) on lifetime neurodevelopmental, anxiety, obsessive‐compulsive, trauma/stressor‐related, and depressive disorder prevalence, and suicidality and counseling/therapy receipt. Multivariate analysis of variance evaluated current depressive, anxiety, and ED symptom differences.ResultsLifetime neurodevelopmental and anxiety disorders were less prevalent in “Lifetime Non‐ARFID ED” than ARFID groups. Lifetime depressive, trauma/stressor‐related, and obsessive‐compulsive disorders were relatively more prevalent in “Lifetime ARFID + Non‐ARFID ED.” This group demonstrated relatively greater current depressive symptoms and past‐year suicide attempts. Lifetime ARFID groups demonstrated relatively greater current anxiety. All groups differed on current ED symptoms. Effects were small.DiscussionHistorical ARFID is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and historical/current anxiety. Mixed ARFID/non‐ARFID ED history may indicate increased propensity toward varied psychopathology.Public Significance StatementThis study replicated findings that ARFID is associated with neurodevelopmental and anxiety disorders in the lifespan through young adulthood. Extending prior work, results suggest a history of ARFID is associated with increased anxiety in young adulthood. Finally, a history of both ARFID and other eating pathology is associated with increased risk for a wide range of psychiatric difficulties (e.g., obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, suicide attempts) in the lifespan through young adulthood.