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Beyond Anorexia and Bulimia
Eating Disorders Not Specified
By Sue Marquette Poremba
To be diagnosed with bulimia, the patient eats a large amount of food in a two-hour period or is out of control while eating and then purges the food. Purging can be done in a variety of ways: vomiting, laxatives, enemas and over-exercising. This behavior happens at least twice a week for at least three months.
Most people know the terms anorexia and bulimia, but many would be surprised to know that there are actually three types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders not otherwise specified.
Eating disorder not specified is a catch-all phrase for all other eating disorders, says Amy Mueller, clinical director at Walden Behavioral Center. The other eating disorders may have the qualities of bulimia or anorexia, but they doesn't meet all the criteria to be officially diagnosed as one of those two disorders. For example, a young woman might binge and purge only once a week for a period of four or five months. While it doesn't fit the exact criteria of bulimia, it is an eating disorder.
"Eating disorders vary," Mueller says. "That's why there are specific and different diagnoses. The important thing to remember is if eating issues start interfering with daily functions like school or work or relationships, there might be a problem."
Some more specific eating disorders that currently fall under eating disorders not specified include binge eating disorder, orthorexia and disordered eating.