Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder

About Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder

Other specified feeding or eating disorder, often abbreviated OSFED, is a DSM-5 category for eating disorders that cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet the full criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or another specific feeding and eating disorder. It replaced most uses of the earlier category eating disorder not otherwise specified. DSM-5 gives examples such as atypical anorexia nervosa, in which the features of anorexia are present but weight remains within or above the typical range, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder of low frequency or limited duration, purging disorder, and night eating syndrome. OSFED is not a milder or less important diagnosis, and people with it can experience serious physical and psychological complications similar to those seen in other eating disorders. Treatment follows the same principles as for other eating disorders, including specialized psychotherapy, nutritional support, medical monitoring, and family involvement for young people.