Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified
Children do not always fit criteria established originally for adults, therefore many of them will fall into a broad category called Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). However, this is not a reason to be complacent.
Children with EDNOS can be as ill as those who “meet full criteria”. Treatment should never be delayed for this reason. Criteria for EDNOS (those who do not meet criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, per DSM-IV):
- all criteria for anorexia nervosa, except has regular menses
- all criteria for anorexia nervosa, except weight still in normal range
- all criteria for bulimia nervosa, except binges twice a week or 3 times a month
- a patient with normal body weight who regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food (i.e. self-induced vomiting after eating 2 cookies)
- a Patient who repeatedly chews and spits out large amounts of food without swallowing
- binge eating disorder: recurrent binges but does not engage in the inappropriate compensatory behaviors of bulimia nervosa
There is an ongoing discussion of the appropriateness of DSM-IV criteria - which were essentially developed to describe symptoms on adults - to children and their special needs. Kartini Clinic staff are activel involved in efforts to update these criteria in the new DSM-V.
If you are looking for eating disorder help or would like more information about any of our eating disorder programs, call us on 503 249 8851 and ask for our intake coordinator. You may also submit an online request. We answer all requests promptly.