Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDA): what does it consist of?

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One of the characteristics of eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDD) is that the person maintains a normal weight. In these cases, feeding problems are not always easy to identify in their early stages.

Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDA) is possibly one of the most diffuse and complex clinical conditions. We could say that, within the classification of eating disorders, this reality does not quite meet all the criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder.

Thus, when we imagine a person with an eating problem, it is common to do so with purging behaviors (vomiting) and with an extremely low weight. However, the reality in medical consultations is very different. In fact, conduct disorder not otherwise specified is usually the most prevalent.

It usually defines the onset of an eating disorder. These are those early phases in which patients resort to multiple strategies to lose weight. However, being in the early stages of the disease does not mean there is less risk. All of these realities linked to diet are considered serious and it is necessary to offer therapeutic support as soon as possible.

TO This eating disorder is often labeled as “mild”, however, patients’ lives are always in danger in this type of psychopathological clinical conditions.

Symptoms of eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDD)

This category is usually used when we are dealing with a person who does not fully meet all the diagnostic criteria that define anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder. Hence the ending “unspecified.” The truth is, To this day, there are still many alterations related to diet that have not been well studied..

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Research work, such as the one carried out at the Bellvitge-IDIBEL University Hospital in Catalonia (Spain), highlights this. Thus, although in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) New diagnostic subtypes of eating disorders were included, the unspecified remains a challenge.

Nevertheless, We know that it affects 3-5% of the population and that early diagnosis facilitates successful treatment. Let’s see, therefore, what are the basic symptoms that facilitate detection.

Anorexia nervosa with a normal weight

A defining characteristic of eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDD) is not meeting the criterion that the patient’s weight is less than what is appropriate for age and height. They are generally within healthy parameters.

Anorexia without alterations in menstruation

Something very recurrent in patients with anorexia nervosa is the absence of menstruation. Hormonal alterations always end up affecting the period. Now, this problem does not appear in this diagnostic category.

atypical bulimia

When diagnosing a person with an eating disorder, we have to take into account the behaviors related to bulimia.

The criterion requires that binge eating and compensatory behaviors (vomiting, enemas, fasting, excessive exercise) occur for a minimum of twice a week and over three months. People with an unspecified disorder do not fit this criterion.

Atypical binge eating disorder

If both bulimia and anorexia show atypical features, the same thing happens with binge eating disorder. In this case, the patient feels the need to eat large quantities and compulsively, but then does not resort to vomiting. In many cases, this makes it difficult to identify this problem early.

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Night feeding syndrome

Another striking characteristic that accompanies eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDAD) is feel an uncontrollable desire to eat at night.

They experience excessive hunger right after dinner. They may wake up in the middle of the night to “raid” the refrigerator. Another striking behavior is feeling that in order to have a deep and restorative rest they must eat.

Orthorexia, the obsession with healthy eating

The obsession with healthy food can lead many people to engage in extreme behaviors that, in reality, are not logical and healthy. This condition forces them to consume only organic foods and this excessive fixation prevents them, little by little, from leading a normal life. Your only priority is that, eating organic products, without additives, etc.

The person with unspecified eating disorder (EDD) usually goes from veganism to the obsession with excluding everything that has sugar, carbohydrates, additives, etc.

Other diagnostic criteria

Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDA) requires that more characteristics be taken into account in addition to those already indicated. They are realities that oscillate between the emotional, the behavioral and the cognitive:

Constant concern about losing weight and following the healthiest diet possible. They wear baggy clothes because they always feel uncomfortable with their body and try to hide it. They avoid eating in public. They stop socializing and taking care of their friends, as well as enjoying their time. company. They try to repress or displace the feeling of hunger at all times. Excessive use of mouthwash and gum. Chewing food without swallowing it to expel it later. Extreme mood swings. Low self-esteem. Very perfectionist personality.

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Although it may seem to us that we are dealing with a highly diffuse and complex eating disorder, it should be noted that it is a condition that is frequently seen and that its treatment is effective.

Cognitive behavioral therapy focused on treating dysfunctional thoughts related to body schema and eating is key. The essential thing is that the environment is sensitive to these characteristics and supports the patient when asking for help.