What is OSFED (Other Specified Feeding & Eating Disorders)?

OSFED, previously called Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), is a general name given to eating disorders that don’t meet the specific criteria of other disorders.

While it’s a more general diagnosis, OSFED can be just as serious as other eating disorders and can result in hospitalization for the same medical complications as anorexia and bulimia.

DSM-5 also further delineates certain symptom/behavior constellations to the following:

• Binge eating disorder (of low frequency or limited duration): An individual experiencing this condition will likely present all the symptoms of binge eating disorder, however binge eating episodes occur less than once per week and/or last for less than three months. Signs of binge eating disorder may be eating large quantities of food, reduced fullness signaling, and eating until discomfort or pain arise.
• Bulimia nervosa (of low frequency or limited duration): An individual may exhibit all the signs of someone struggling with bulimia nervosa, but the binge and purge behaviors occur less frequently and/or for less than three months. Signs of bulimia nervosa may include eating large quantities of food or extreme exercise habits.
• Purging disorder: Individuals experiencing purging disorder may show habits of repeated purging behaviors without binge eating. Excessive exercise, misuse of laxatives or other diuretics, and self-induced vomiting are common forms of purging. Signs of this condition are fear of weight gain, repeated episodes of purging with the goal of weight loss, and dysmorphic body image.
• Night eating syndrome: Those experiencing night eating syndrome exhibit excessive eating habits after an evening meal or after waking up from sleep. Signs of this condition are unmanageable urges to eat between dinner and sleep, disrupted sleeping patterns, and waking up to eat throughout the night.