Unspecified feeding or eating disorder

Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED) is a category of eating disorders that do not meet the full criteria for any of the specific disorders within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This category is used when the clinician chooses not to specify the reason that the criteria are not met for a specific feeding or eating disorder, and includes presentations in which there is insufficient information to make a more specific diagnosis (e.g., in emergency room settings).

Definition[edit | edit source]

The DSM-5 defines UFED as any feeding or eating conditions that cause significant distress or impairment, but do not meet the full criteria for any of the other feeding and eating disorders. The disorder could be a less severe or less frequent version of a better-known disorder, or it could be a disorder that does not fit neatly into any existing category.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of UFED can vary widely, as the category encompasses a range of conditions. However, common symptoms may include:

Persistent disturbance in eating or eating-related behavior that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food
The disturbance is not better explained by a lack of available food or by an associated culturally sanctioned practice
The eating disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and there is no evidence of recurrent episodes of binge eating.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for UFED typically involves a combination of nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and medication. The specific treatment plan will depend on the individual's specific symptoms and needs.