Written by:

Lee Spinks

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

September 30th, 2024

OSFED

OSFED stands for “Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders”, which are conditions with symptoms that don’t exactly match more defined eating disorders. In contrast, they may not be as well known as binge eating or anorexia; OSFED accounts for between 32% and 53% of all eating disorders. Because of their unique traits, OSFED can be tricky to diagnose, but left untreated, they can cause massive problems for health and well-being. Understanding the different types of OSFED and the help available can help you overcome this tough condition and even save your life.

What is OSFED?

The term OSFED was introduced in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and replaced the older term “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified” (EDNOS). This new name came from a better medical understanding of the varying conditions that can affect people’s eating habits and relationships with food.

OSFED comes in lots of different forms and each has its own symptoms and challenges. Some of the most common are:

Atypical anorexia nervosa

Atypical anorexia nervosa is when someone shows all the signs of anorexia but, even after losing a lot of weight, they are still above or within “normal” weight. This often happens because they were overweight before they developed the condition.

Binge-eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration)

This is when someone meets all the symptoms of binge-eating disorder, but the episodes of binge eating are less often or involve less food.

Bulimia nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration)

This is similar to the above condition except with bulimia. It involves the same binge eating and purging habits, but these happen less often.

Night eating syndrome

Night eating syndrome occurs when someone regularly eats a lot at night, either after waking up in the middle of the night or after dinner. Importantly, this behaviour occurs for no obvious reason and is not caused by changes in sleep patterns.

Purging disorder

This involves regular purging to control your weight or shape, such as making yourself sick, using laxatives or extreme exercise. Unlike bulimia, there is no binge eating involved with purging disorder.

What causes OSFED?

OSFED are complex conditions that usually come from a mix of different factors. Knowing these causes can be a big step toward getting better because it can help to guide the treatment to what you specifically need. Some of the known causes of OSFED include:

Genetic factors

Eating disorders can sometimes run in families, so if someone close to you has had an eating disorder, it might increase your chances of having one, too. This isn’t your fault or anything that you could have avoided – it’s just how genetics can work sometimes.

Psychological factors

OSFED often has its roots in deep-seated issues like low self-esteem, unhappiness with your body or the effects of tough experiences like trauma or abuse. These feelings can be really hard to deal with and might contribute to your unhealthy eating habits.

Environmental factors

The world around you can greatly influence how you feel about food and your body. Societal expectations, friends, family and social media can all pressure us to look a certain way which can be overwhelming. Stressful life events or problems at home can also play a big role in how you develop and cope with eating issues.

Dieting and body image concerns

Starting a diet can sometimes lead to obsessive behaviour around food and weight. What begins as an attempt to lose a little weight can spiral into something much more serious and hard to control.

Co-occurring mental health issues

Many people with OSFED also deal with other mental health challenges, like anxiety, depression or substance abuse. These issues can make the eating disorder feel even more overwhelming, creating a cycle that’s tough to break.

Recognising the signs and symptoms of OSFED

Recognising OSFED can be tricky because it doesn’t fit into the usual categories of eating disorders. However, being aware of the signs and symptoms can help you understand what’s going on and seek a professional diagnosis. Here are some common signs of different OSFED to look out for in yourself and others:

• A preoccupation with food and dieting
• Extreme concern about weight or body shape
• Regularly skipping meals or eating very small portions
• Using food as a way to cope with emotions
• Unusual eating habits or rituals
• Isolating yourself and avoiding family and social situations
• Vomiting, excessive exercising or using laxatives
• Eating large amounts of food in a short period (bingeing)
• Eating late at night or waking up to eat
• Refusing to listen to the concerns of your loved ones
• Depression and anxiety around food
• Being in denial about your situation

The dangers of OSFED

OSFED can be harmful, and it is important to understand the potential dangers so you can see why getting help is so crucial:

Physical health risks

One of the main physical health risks is malnutrition, as insufficient nutrients can lead to weakness, fatigue and serious health problems. Eating disorders can put a lot of stress on your heart leading to irregular heartbeats or even heart failure.

Another danger is to your bones, as lack of proper nutrition can make them weak and more likely to break. Constantly changing eating habits can also cause digestive issues like bloating, constipation or stomach pain. Purging behaviours can damage your teeth, stomach and oesophagus and disrupt your mineral balance which is dangerous for your heart and muscles.

Mental health risks

Mentally, OSFED can increase or create strong feelings of anxiety and depression. You might also find yourself pulling away from friends and family, leaving you alone and isolated. This is where eating disorders thrive which is why confiding in people you trust can be a huge step towards getting better.

Relationship and personal issues

The constant worry about food and body image created by OSFED can overshadow everything else. This can make working, studying, pursuing your goals and enjoying life very difficult.

OSFED can also put a lot of pressure on your most important relationships as your friends and family struggle to understand what you are going through. This can be made more difficult as OSFED can manipulate you into hiding the reality of your situation from your loved ones or lying about your eating.

How to treat OSFED?

OSFED treatment involves different types of support to meet each person’s unique needs. At Banbury Lodge, our partner recovery centre, the focus is on healing not just OSFED symptoms but also its causes and triggers.

Rehab treatment for OSFED involves a combination of one-to-one and group therapy so that you can have both a personal experience and learn from others. We provide a range of different therapies, including dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and family therapy, to help you address disordered eating patterns and provide key support during rehab.

We also incorporate holistic therapies and practices to support your overall well-being. This includes meditation and mindfulness exercises to help reduce stress and manage emotions, as well as nutritional counselling, where we help you create a balanced eating plan and fix any nutritional problems.

Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave rehab and our aftercare programme offers weekly group therapy sessions to help you avoid setbacks. This ongoing support is crucial for your continued recovery and invites you to stay connected with our supportive community.

Get help for OSFED today

If you have enough of OSFED controlling your life, we can help you defeat it. Banbury Lodge has helped people overcome a whole range of eating disorders and we can help you too. Our experienced team delivers proven OSFED treatment which will give you everything you need to begin healing and moving forward. Contact us today and let us help you on your journey to wellness.

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