Over the past few years, clinicians have realized that many people may have variations of disordered eating, yet, they cannot meet full diagnostic criteria for Anorexia and/or Bulimia. It is actually estimated that most people will never fit full criteria. Individuals that meet several of the necessary criteria, but not all specific to either Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, will be diagnosed with Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified. Failure to meet specific criteria for an eating disorder DOES NOT mean that the individual does not have an important and grave disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with ED-NOS, it is imperative to get treatment as soon as possible.

1. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except the individual has regular menses

2. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that, despite substantial weight loss, the individual's current weight is in the normal range.

3.  All of the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa are met except binges occur at a frequency of less than twice a week or for a duration of less than 3 months.

4. An individual of normal body weight who regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food.

5. An individual who repeatedly chews and spits out, but does not swallow, large amounts of food.

6. Binge eating disorder recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence of the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors characteristic of bulimia nervosa.

• The individual will have all signs of Anorexia Nervosa, but will still have a monthly menstrual cycle
• The individual may actively participate in some anorexic behaviors, as well as some bulimic behaviors (also known as bulimarexia).
• The individual may be actively suffering from anorexic behaviors, yet will not be 15% or less of ideal body weight (still normal weight).
• The individual will chew food, yet spits it out prior to swallowing (a refusal to swallow the food).
• The individual who is suffering from Bulimia will binge less than two times a week for less than three months.