Discovering Lesser-Known Eating Disorders: Bringing Awareness To Uncommon Feeding and Eating Conditions
While anorexia and bulimia nervosa are the most recognized eating disorders, several lesser-known eating disorders also significantly impact those suffering. There are eight different diagnoses within the Feeding and Eating Disorders chapter of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition- text revision (DSM-5-TR), a comprehensive manual covering all psychiatric and related diagnoses in the healthcare field.
Although feeding and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are more widely recognized and discussed, it is essential to understand and acknowledge lesser-known eating disorders. This recognition and understanding enable us to identify the signs and symptoms in ourselves and others, break stigmas and encourage prompt, effective treatment.
Exploring Lesser-Known Feeding And Eating Disorders
Pica
Pica involves consuming nonfood, nonnutritive substances like dirt, chalk, soap, paper, wool, paint, and ice. Pica is most common in school-age children and within populations that experience food insecurity and vitamin deficiency.
Rumination Disorder
Characterized by the repeated regurgitation of food, rumination disorder may involve re-chewing, re-swallowing, or spitting out food. This condition is not due to gastrointestinal (GI) or other medical conditions and often affects infants and those with intellectual developmental disorders or other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)
Professionals diagnose OSFED when an individual’s symptoms don’t fully align with another diagnosis but correspond to one of five specific subcategories. These include atypical anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration), binge-eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration), purging disorder, and night eating syndrome.
Unspecified Feeding and Eating Disorders
This diagnosis covers feeding or eating behaviors causing clinical distress that don’t meet the criteria for any other listed disorder. This category is a “catch-all” for other potential feeding and eating disorder diagnoses.
Finding Support for Lesser-Known Feeding and Eating Disorders
All feeding and eating disorders are real and deserve stigma-free care and support. These disorders can cause severe, long-term harm to mental, physical, and emotional health. It is crucial that professionals evaluate individuals who are struggling with food and body issues and get access to care that meets their unique needs. Please remember this blog is not a diagnostic tool. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, please consult a professional.
BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™ understands the fear and hesitation in seeking support. We offer bi-monthly Free Virtual Support Groups for those contemplating eating disorder support or for loved ones seeking assistance. Click here to RSVP for our next support group and here to speak with our admissions team to begin your recovery journey today.
Reference
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x10_Feeding_and_Eating_Disorders
This post was written by BALANCE Social Work Intern, Cait Berosh (she/her).
Cait is currently finishing her Master of Social Work at Columbia University and holds a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Cait is passionate about helping individuals find their confidence and self-esteem to create a healthy relationship with their body, themselves, and others. Specifically, she aims to fight against diet culture and create spaces that are rooted in authenticity and community. Cait’s main goal in her work is to help others feel supported, seen, and validated in their experiences.
After graduating this May, she plans to work with adolescent and young adult women, specifically concerning eating disorders, body image, life transitions, and self-esteem. Cait is excited to learn from the incredible team at BALANCE and support clients on their recovery journeys this year.
