OSFED, or other-specified feeding and eating disorder, is one of the most common eating disorders in the world. You may not have heard of it, which is likely because it’s a classification for eating disorders that don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for specific eating disorders. In other words, it’s something of a catch-all for unspecified eating disorders, and this catch-all status makes it a big category. So, how does something so common go unnoticed, and how can we find the right treatment for every case?
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of OSFED is important to help people find effective treatment methods.
With a bit of education, you’ll learn how to treat OSFED, improve your mental health, and enjoy life the way it was meant to be lived.
Defining OSFED
No two people deal with the same experience from every condition. For instance, people with anxiety can be diagnosed with the same diagnosis but have totally different symptoms. There are often varying levels of severity to everything we go through and lumping a person into one set criterion can often leave them lacking the right support.
That’s where OSFED comes in. This diagnostic classification helps individuals who might not identify with one type of eating disorder. OSFED causes many similar effects as other eating disorders, but the level of their condition might not satisfy the typical levels found in different patients. But this doesn’t mean people with OSFED have “lesser” versions of the disorder. It just means that they are impacted in a way that differs from the norm.
For example, individuals with OSFED may exhibit symptoms of bulimia nervosa and partake in binging or purging activities, but it might be less frequent or more limited in nature than most others. Another example would be a purging disorder, where a person may purge but won’t include the familiar binging habits found with the condition.
The Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of OSFED
Just like all eating disorders, OSFED comes with various signs and symptoms. OSFED combines some of the more common yet lesser-known impacts of all disorders. These include behavioral, physical, and psychological symptoms, such as:
- Getting sick more often
- Loss of sex drive
- Frequent vomiting
- Fainting and dizziness
- Sensitivity about comments revolving around food
- Increased anxiety around mealtimes
- Low self-esteem or the prevalence of co-occurring disorders
- Claiming to have eaten but not actually eating
- Social withdrawal
- Hiding food
- Frequent bathroom visits after eating
How to Find the Right Treatment for OSFED
Even if your condition doesn’t fit specific criteria, you should consult a medical professional or an OSFED treatment center if experiencing any of the symptoms above. The best way to ensure effective treatment is with a proper and early diagnosis, so when in doubt, don’t hesitate to get support.
Treatment programs include various methods to address any underlying disorders. Most treatments will be adapted toward the eating disorder for which you exhibit the most symptoms. You may also be prescribed medication alongside psychotherapy or nutrition therapy programs. Psychotherapy programs can be anything from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to therapy groups designed to pair you with individuals dealing with similar conditions.
For most mental health conditions, each individual has different level of symptoms and effects, and that’s especially true for something like OSFED, where the diagnosis can vary so much. But with these varying levels of treatment, there are plenty of ways to get the support you need.
Get Professional Support from Shoreline Center for Eating Disorder Treatment
There’s no reason OSFED should go undiagnosed in any individual. The goal of treatment facilities is to help find support for any and every individual dealing with OSFED and related conditions and effects. Shoreline Center for Eating Disorder Treatment helps you recover from OSFED with access to our residential eating disorder treatment programs and additional support. Our clinical team helps empower you, treating symptoms at the core and providing you with courage and strength along the way.
You don’t have to let OSFED control your life choices. Fill out our contact form or call Shoreline at 562-434-6007 and speak to one of our trusted team members today.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/osfed-eating-disorder#examples
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30193141/