Question

The DSM-IV describes an "Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified":

Answer 1

The “Not Otherwise Specified” (NOS) category within DSM-IV is designed for disorders of clinical severity that are not specified within broad diagnostic classes. “NOS” diagnoses are intended to be residual categories and they tend to be neglected by researchers. This can be inappropriate. The problems associated with certain NOS diagnoses are well illustrated by “Eating Disorder NOS” (sometimes termed EDNOS), which is the most common category of eating disorder encountered in routine clinical practice. The DSM-IV diagnosis “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified” (eating disorder NOS) is much used by clinicians yet largely ignored by researchers. It is the most common category of eating disorder seen in outpatient settings yet there have been no studies of its treatment.