Not all eating disorders fall neatly into the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia or bulimia and are usually described as eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS).
There is a terrible misconception that other eating and exercise disorders are not as severe as anorexia or bulimia, which often prevents affected individuals from getting appropriate treatment. Many who struggle in the EDNOS category are at risk for the same dangers as those who meet criteria for other disorders, including the risk of heart attacks, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and even death.
These conditions are just as serious and require appropriate intervention.
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) is an eating disorder that does not meet the specific criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
Examples of EDNOS include:
- All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except the individual has regular menses.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- An individual who repeatedly chews and spits out, but does not swallow, large amounts of food.
- Binge eating disorder; recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence of the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors characteristic of Bulimia Nervosa.
Description adapted from Finding Balance.
Compulsive Exercise
Compulsive exercise is often referred to as anorexia athletica, obligatory exercise, and exercise addiction.
Characteristics of Compulsive Exercise
- Repeatedly exercise beyond the requirements for good health.
- Be a fanatic about weight and diet,
- Steal time to exercise from work, school, and relationships.
- Strive to achieve and master ever more difficult challenges. Forgets that physical activity can be fun.
- Define self-worth in terms of performance.
- Rarely or never satisfied with athletic achievements. Small satisfactions are fleeting. Does not savor victory. Pushes on to the next challenge immediately.
- Justifies excessive behavior by defining self as a "special" elite athlete.
Description adapted from Anorexia and Related Disorders (ANRED).
