Nonspecific eating disorders - a subjective review

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this paper was to characterise nonspecific eating disorders (other than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa).

Method: The Medline database was searched for articles on nonspecific eating disorders. The following disorders were described: binge eating disorder (BED), pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, night eating syndrome (NES), sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), bigorexia, orthorexia, focusing on diagnosis, symptoms, assessment, comorbidities, clinical implications and treatment.

Results: All of the included disorders may have dangerous consequences, both somatic and psychological. They are often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. Approximately a few percent of general population can be diagnosed with each disorder, from 0.5-4.7% (SRED) to about 7% (orthorexia). With the growing literature on the subject and changes in DSM-5, clinicians recognise and treat those disorders more often.

Conclusions: More studies have to be conducted in order to differentiate disorders and treat or prevent them appropriately.

Keywords: DSM-5; eating disorders.