Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)

EDNOS is used to describe people that meet some, but not all of the characteristics for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

A person with almost all of the symptoms of anorexia, but who maintains a normal menstrual cycle or body mass index can be diagnosed with EDNOS.

Likewise, sufferers may binge and purge, but not frequently enough to be considered bulimic. Or they may induce self vomiting after eating only a small amount of food.

People with EDNOS may switch between different eating disorders or even fit the picture of anorexia or bulimia with time.

People who eat a normal amount of food, but become exceedingly obsessed with healthy eating, or strictly categorize normal foods or entire food groups as "safe" and "off-limits", may be referred to as having orthorexia.

EDNOS is a serious eating disorder and can have long-term consequences on the individual's physical health.