Other

Other Eating Disorders

DSM IV Research Criteria

Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)

Roughly one-third of those who present for treatment of an “eating disorder” fall into this category. In this category are syndromes that resemble anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but fall short of an essential feature or are not of the required severity, thus precluding either diagnosis.

Also in this category are eating disorders that may present quite differently from anorexia or bulimia nervosa, such as binge eating disorder, described above. The diagnosis of EDNOS is used for chronic dieters who purge what is considered by them to be “fattening” foods, even if they seldom or never binge and do not restrict their eating to the point of severe weight loss.

EDNOS includes:

anorexics with menses
anorexics, who despite significant weight loss, are in the normal weight range
bulimics who don’t meet the frequency or duration requirement for symptoms
purgers who don’t binge
individuals who chew and spit out food
those with Binge Eating Disorder

Even without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for one of the major eating disorders, it is clear that individuals with some form of EDNOS also need help. These people, no matter how varied and unique, are all suffering from disordered eating, a disordered society, and a disordered self. (Costin, 1996, Pg. 18).