Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified

Over the past few years, clinicians have realized that many people may have variations of disordered eating, yet, they cannot meet full diagnostic criteria for Anorexia and/or Bulimia. It is actually estimated that most people will never fit full criteria. Individuals that meet several of the necessary criteria, but not all specific to either Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, will be diagnosed with Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified. Failure to meet specific criteria for an eating disorder DOES NOT mean that the individual does not have an important and grave disorder.

 

Warning Signs (May Include)

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified includes disorders of eating that do not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder, however require proper treatment. Examples include:

  1. For females, all of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that the individual has regular menses.
  2. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that, despite significant weight loss the individual's current weight is in the normal range.
  3. All of the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa are met except that the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory mechanisms occur at a frequency of less than twice a week or for duration of less than 3 months.
  4. The regular use of inappropriate compensatory behavior by an individual of normal body weight after eating small amounts of food.
  5. Repeatedly chewing and spitting out, but not swallowing, large amounts of food.
  6. Binge Eating Disorder: recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence if the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors characteristic of Bulimia Nervosa.

If you or someone you know is struggling with ED-NOS, it is imperative to get treatment as soon as possible.