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Other Forms Of Eating Disorders Not Formally Diagnosed

OSFED
 
 

What other eating disorders are there?

When it comes to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual Latest Edition (DSMV), there are only so many eating disorder diagnoses:

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder

Other Specified Feeding & Eating Disorder (OSFED)

and Avoidant Restrictive Food & Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Although these are the only ones “formally diagnosed,” the eating disorder professional community has identified other forms of eating disorders out there.


Other Forms of Eating Disorders Not Formally Diagnosed:

Orthorexia

This eating disorder was termed in 1998 by Steven Bratman, a physician who began recognizing many of his clients had an obsession with wanting to be as healthy as possible. What he noticed was this obsession began interfering with their relationships, self-esteem, hobbies, work, mental health, and physical health.

NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) writes the warning signs for Orthorexia are as follows:

  • Compulsive checking of ingredients or food labels

  • An increased concern about the health of ingredients

  • Cutting out an increasing number of food groups (all sugar, all dairy, etc.)

  • Spending hours every day thinking about food, what food might be served at events, what might be in the food, where they will get their next meal, etc.

  • Obsessive following of food and healthy lifestyle trends and information

PICA

This eating disorder involves eating non-food substances such as clay, chalk, paper, dirt, etc. Often PICA develops at a young age, and if left untreated it could continue to be problematic into adulthood. A nutritional concern for PICA is often times this eating disorder is associated with iron deficiency or other micronutrient deficiencies because the non-food substances may have competing properties that impact one’s nutritional digestion.

Rumination Disorder

This eating disorder involves regular / often regurgitation of food. The individual may regurgitate food already swallowed, then continue to chew it, re-swallow it, or spit it out. This eating disorder may make eating unpleasant and cause fear or anxiety around eating. The most common treatment for Rumination Disorder is breathing techniques, the ruling out of physical conditions, and habit reversal.

Compulsive Exercise

Although in today’s society, excessive exercise is often praised or looked at without concern, it can become problematic. Compulsive Exercise often occurs as a way to give yourself permission to eat or as a means of “purging” what you did already eat. You may feel uncomfortable not exercising or moving. You may continue to exercise when there were clear recommendations not to, such as with an injury or medical diagnosis.

Diabulimia

With how intensely individuals with diabetes are asked to focus on food, they are at almost three times higher risk of developing an eating disorder than non-diabetic individuals. If you have T1DM and are abusing your insulin to change your body, you may have diabulimia. In addition, if you are experiencing fear of carbohydrates, sugar, or have preoccupation with food/weight/calories, you may have an eating disorder.


how are these non-diagnosed eating disorders treated?

Although each of these disorders will have their own unique behaviors to manage, general treatment of eating disorders may apply. To learn more, check out our information on OSFED, the eating disorder you will likely receive as a diagnosis.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT | INITIAL SESSION

90 MINUTES

During your initial visit, we will discuss initial paper-work and go through your treatment history, nutrition and health journey, current state, and where you’d like to be. We will review your goals, level of motivation and support system. It is okay if you do not know where you’d like to begin, we will help you get started. Together we will set goals and lay the blueprints for what you’d like your relationship with food to look like. From this point forward we are partners and our only goal is to help you feel confident and happy! You can expect meal plan guidance and assignments to keep you on track.