Do you restrict what you eat to small quantities and a narrow variety of foods, but you aren’t sure If it’s anorexia? Do you wake up frequently, feeling you need to eat before you can go back to bed? Do you purge without binge eating? If you are experiencing eating disorder behaviors that don’t quite fall into the categories of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder, you may have a condition that is classified as Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED). Formerly known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), OSFED was developed to encompass conditions that did not meet diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa but were still significant feeding or eating disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Some examples of OSFED include:
The warning signs of OSFED are similar to those of other eating disorders and may include:
Because OSFED houses a variety of eating disorders, it is often misunderstood and seen as less severe than other eating disorders. However, OSFED is actually the most common category of eating disorders, “represent[ing] an estimated 32% to 53% of all individuals with eating disorders” (“OSFED: The Other Eating Disorder,” 2018). In addition to being common, it also has a higher mortality rate than Anorexia and Bulimia. (Crow et al., 2009).
The health consequences of OSFED depend on the specific disordered eating behaviors present. So, it is typically recommended that OSFED treatment closely mimic the treatment for the eating disorder it is the most similar to. For example, if a patient suffers from Atypical Anorexia, the treatment used would be similar to treatment used for Anorexia Nervosa. As with any eating disorder, it is recommended that those experiencing symptoms work with a specialized team consisting of a therapist and dietitian and seek treatment as soon as possible. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of OSFED, please reach out to us at 1-888-363-5977. We would be happy to be a part of your recovery.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing
Crow, Scott J., et al. (2009). “Increased Mortality in Bulimia Nervosa and Other Eating Disorders.” American Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 166, no. 12, pp. 1342–1346., doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09020247.
Muhlheim, L., & Gans, S. (2018, January 20). OSFED: The Other Eating Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.verywellmind.com/osfed-the-other-eating-disorder-1138307
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/types/other-specified-feeding-or-eating-disorders/.
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