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Challenges for OSFED Sufferers on College Campuses
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
When it comes to eating disorders, many people assume that these illnesses are one of the major three, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorders. However, eating disorders fall under a wide spectrum, many which are often unknown or misdiagnosed.
One such category of eating disorders is OSFED, or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders, a term used to classify eating disorders of clinical severity that do not necessarily meet the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating.
Understanding Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders
OSFED is a term that replaces the category of eating disorders formerly known as Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) in the DSM-IV. Five specific subtypes of eating/feeding disorders fall under the OSFED category, including atypical anorexia nervosa (anorexic features without low body weight), bulimia nervosa of low frequency, binge eating disorder, purging disorder, and night eating syndrome.
Having this category is helpful for identification and treatment purposes, particularly for those individuals who may be struggling with a form of an eating disorder that does not necessarily fit the criteria of the main eating disorders known.
How College Students Might Be Impacted by OSFED
College is often a transition time in which students who are predisposed to having an eating disorder may struggle. A college student may find themselves dealing with a form of an eating disorder, such as atypical anorexia or bulimia, and not be fully aware that what they are struggling with is not normal or that they might require professional help.
This would include the student who purges “occasionally”, either through self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse or excessive exercise, or the student who restricts their intake significantly yet might not have a low body weight.
Any type of eating pattern that does seems abnormal should be addressed promptly, as this could potentially fall under OSFED. Ultimately, students who are struggling with any form of an eating disorder should seek out professional help immediately in order to prevent more severe consequences from developing and to appropriately address the difficulties they may be struggling with.
If you or someone you love are concerned about your feeding or eating habits and behaviors, be sure to discuss with a trusted professional, such as a mentor on campus, wellness leader, or others.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What do you think are some of the common misconceptions about eating disorders that may not fit the criteria of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder?
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on March 8, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
