OSFED
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (formerly known as EDNOS) causes significant distress, but doesn’t meet all the criteria for another eating disorder. It is just as serious.
Signs of OSFED
Someone may show some of these signs, not all of them. Eating disorders affect people of every age, gender, cultural background and body size, and you can’t tell if someone has one just by looking at them.
Physical
- Weight loss, gain or changes
- Loss of or changes to periods, and lower sex drive
- Fainting or dizziness from dehydration
- Getting sick more often
- Signs of damage from vomiting, such as swelling around the cheeks or jaw, calluses on the knuckles, damage to teeth and bad breath
Psychological
- Preoccupation with food and eating
- Preoccupation with body shape and weight (for some men, a focus on building muscle)
- Extreme body dissatisfaction and a distorted body image
- Sensitivity to comments about food, weight, body shape or exercise
- Anxiety or irritability around meal times
- Depression, anxiety or irritability
- Low self-esteem and feelings of shame, self-loathing or guilt
- ‘Black and white’ thinking, such as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ food
Behavioural
- Dieting behaviours, such as fasting or cutting out food groups
- Episodes of binge eating
- Frequent trips to the bathroom during or soon after meals
- Compulsive or excessive exercise
- Eating at unusual times, or after going to sleep at night
- Changes in food preferences, and rigid rituals around food
- Avoiding social situations involving food
- Secretive behaviour around food
- Repetitive or obsessive behaviours about body shape and weight
- Withdrawing from friends and activities they used to enjoy
The five types of OSFED
OSFED is still an official diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR (2022), the manual health professionals use. These five types can help you understand which one you, or someone you know, may relate to. Only a health professional can diagnose an eating disorder.
- Atypical anorexia nervosaAll the signs of anorexia nervosa, except that the person’s weight is in or above the ‘normal’ range. It is just as serious.
- Bulimia nervosa (low frequency or limited duration)The signs of bulimia nervosa, but happening less often or for a shorter time.
- Binge eating disorder (low frequency or limited duration)The signs of binge eating disorder, but happening less often or for a shorter time.
- Purging disorderRepeated purging, such as vomiting or misusing laxatives or diuretics, without binge eating.
- Night eating syndromeRepeated episodes of eating after waking from sleep, or eating a lot after the evening meal. The person is aware of it and remembers it.
The risks of OSFED are as serious as those of any other eating disorder. Not ‘meeting the criteria’ for another diagnosis doesn’t mean someone is ‘not sick enough’ for help.
If you or someone you know is showing these signs, please reach out for help
Eating disorders are serious, but recovery is possible, and the earlier you get support, the better. A good first step is your GP, or the Butterfly Helpline on 1800 33 4673.
OSFED statistics
- 1 in 3people with an eating disorder are male
- 55–97%of people with an eating disorder also live with another mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression
- 30%of people with an eating disorder get help. You deserve support too.
Sources
Gender and help-seeking figures: Deloitte Access Economics (2024). Paying the Price, Second Edition: The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia. Butterfly Foundation. Read the report.
Mental health conditions: National Eating Disorders Collaboration (2017), as summarised by Eating Disorders Victoria. Figures summarised by Eating Disorders Victoria, which lists each original study.
Treatment for OSFED
Because OSFED looks different for each person, treatment usually follows the eating disorder it is most like. For example, if someone has many (but not all) of the signs of bulimia nervosa, the treatments recommended for bulimia nervosa are a good place to start.
See treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Where to start
See your GP. They can check your physical health and write an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, which gives Medicare rebates for up to 40 psychology sessions and 20 dietitian sessions over 12 months.
Not sure what to say? Our checklist for talking to your GP and Butterfly’s Where do I start? guide can help.
You can recover. You are not alone ❤️
Read how others found their way through recovery.