Understanding and treating OSFED
OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) can go unnoticed and untreated but is just as serious as the other disorders it overlaps with. It can feel invalidating and challenging to find treatment when you feel that there is a problem, but you don’t 100% fit the definitions of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. However, OSFED helps encapsulate your nuanced differences so you can get lifesaving treatment.
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What is OSFED?
OSFED is an eating disorder that encompasses five types of eating disorders according to the DSM-5: atypical anorexia nervosa, sub-threshold bulimia nervosa, sub-threshold binge eating disorder, purging disorder and night eating syndrome. OSFED is a serious condition requiring treatment.
Types of OSFED
OSFED can involve symptoms from one or multiple other eating disorders, leading to various possible presentations for diagnosis. OSFED subtypes include:
Atypical anorexia
Atypical anorexia is a condition which meets all criteria for anorexia nervosa except that the individual's weight is within or above a "normal" range.
Bulimia nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration)
This condition occurs when all criteria for bulimia nervosa are met, but compensatory behaviors occur less often and for a shorter period than specified in the DSM.
Binge eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration)
This condition occurs when all criteria for binge eating disorder are met, but binge episodes occur less often and for a shorter period than specified in the DSM.
Purging disorder
Purging disorder involves purging behaviors without binge eating.
Night eating syndrome
Night eating syndrome is characterized by excessive food consumption after dinner or during the night not explained by any other medical or behavioral health condition.
Note that individuals with OSFED can also experience symptoms of other eating disorders. Someone might primarily restrict calories but occasionally engage in purging behaviors, potentially meeting criteria for both anorexia nervosa and purging disorder (an OSFED type). Monte Nido treatment programs consider these individual variations to tailor care accordingly.
Sign & Symptoms of OSFED
OSFED symptoms vary but generally involve disturbed eating habits, food/weight obsession, and behaviors affecting physical and psychological health.
Key signs and symptoms may include:
Physical
- Significant weight changes
- Menstrual/hormonal irregularities
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Vomiting signs
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Skin/hair changes
Psychological
- Preoccupation with food and body image
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Mood disorders
- Rigid food beliefs
Behavioral
- Dieting
- Binge eating
- Purging
- Obsessive food rituals
- Social withdrawal
- Unusual eating times
Risk factors for OSFED
OSFED, like other eating disorders, typically develops from a mix of genetic, environmental, social, and psychological factors.
Psychological factors
A history of traumatic experiences, coexisting mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem can contribute to developing OSFED. These factors may lead to disordered eating patterns, emotional eating, or changes in appetite.
Dieting and weight concerns
A personal history of dieting, calorie restriction, and food-related stress can predate binge eating onset and episodes.
Sociocultural and environmental pressures
Cultural beauty ideals and weight stigma contribute to body dissatisfaction, leading to emotional eating and binge episodes. Facing negative comments, bullying, body shaming, and media-driven body image concerns can also contribute to low self-esteem and a higher risk.
What does treatment OSFED look like?
Monte Nido can help
OSFED affects emotional, physical, and psychological health but is treatable with specialized care. Our approach focuses on your recovery goals, using evidence-based therapies in individual and group settings. These therapies help manage symptoms, build confidence, and include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to change unhelpful thoughts that influence behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to manage uncomfortable emotions and develop coping strategies.
- Family-based informed treatment for children and adolescents involves family members in the treatment process to support long-term skill development and recovery at home. This helps the family understand the challenges of recovery and learn how to support their loved one when they return to “regular life.”
Our treatment for OSFED is individualized based on your specific OSFED subtype and symptoms and involves a team approach with medical care, nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and more.
We offer a complete continuum of care so that as you progress towards recovery, your treatment will continually be fine-tuned to your needs. Our dedicated team will collaborate with you to create a personalized plan focused on your recovery goals, providing support throughout your entire journey.
If you have more questions about OSFED treatment at Monte Nido, please reach out
Frequently asked OSFED questions
Yes, OSFED is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, just like other eating disorders. Someone with OSFED can show similar symptom severity, risk factors, and mortality rates as individuals with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. OSFED poses significant risks to a person’s medical and mental health that are equally as serious, ranging from osteoporosis to heart conditions. It can also lead to death if left untreated.
To be diagnosed with OSFED, an individual must present with clinically significant distress or impairment from disordered eating behaviors but not meet the full criteria for another eating disorder. Our admissions will arrange for you to work with a clinician who will talk to you about your diagnosis and recommend the best level of care to start your recovery process before starting treatment. Start your journey here.
People with OSFED may display a variety of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms related to disordered eating habits and weight concerns.
Physical Signs:
Weight changes, dehydration, compromised immunity due to nutrient deficiency, and menstrual irregularities in females
Psychological Signs:
Preoccupation with food, body image distortions, and an intense fear of weight gain
Behavioral Signs:
Dieting, ritualistic eating habits, compulsive exercise, and consuming food at unusual times
Recognizing these signs can help identify individuals needing support and treatment for OSFED.
