Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is an eating disorder that does not meet the specific criteria for Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.

Examples of EDNOS include:

1. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except the individual has regular menses.
2. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that, despite substantial weight loss, the individual's current weight is in the normal range.
3. All of the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa are met except binges occur at a frequency of less than twice a week or for a duration of less than 3 months.
4. An individual of normal body weight who regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food (eg, self-induced vomiting after the consumption of two cookies).
5. An individual who repeatedly chews and spits out, but does not swallow, large amounts of food.
6. Binge eating disorder; recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence of the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors characteristic of Bulimia Nervosa.

**There is a misconception that EDNOS is not as severe as other eating disorders, which often prevents individuals with this disorder from getting appropriate treatment. The symptoms of EDNOS are just as significant as those of the other eating disorders and require appropriate intervention.

Description adapted from Something Fishy.