Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa

Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorders Diagnosis Print Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa By Susan Cowden, MS facebook linkedin Susan Cowden is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Learn about our editorial policy Susan Cowden, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 27, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 23, 2019 Thomas Barwick / Getty Images More in Eating Disorders Diagnosis Symptoms Treatment Awareness and Prevention In This Article Table of Contents Expand Previous Diagnostic Manual Changes to Anorexia in DSM-5 For Patients Who Do Not Meet Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa Not Meeting Criteria View All Back To Top The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, (DSM-5) was published in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides physicians and mental health professionals with the criteria for diagnosing specific mental disorders, including anorexia nervosa.   Previous Diagnostic Manual The previous diagnostic manual, the DSM-IV (published in 1994), was problematic because as many as three-quarters of patients diagnosed with an eating disorder fell into the catchall and varied category of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). This made it hard for researchers and clinicians to adequately define and treat the range of patients in this group. Changes to Anorexia in the DSM-5 The DSM-5 also merged the former categories of Eating Disorders and Feeding  Disorder in Infancy or Early  Childhood and formed the new category, Feeding and Eating Disorders. The DSM-5 attempted to relax some of the criteria and broaden the categories for the specific disorders in order to reduce the number of patients in the EDNOS (now called OSFED) group. In terms of the criteria for anorexia nervosa, there were two primary changes in DSM-5: Amenorrhea (loss of a menstrual period) was eliminated as a criterion. This is important because it allows males to meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa.  It also allows official inclusion of the small minority of females who continue menstruating despite extreme weight loss and malnutritionThe low weight criterion was revised to allow more subjectivity and clinical judgment. This is also an important revision because we know that anorexia nervosa can occur in individuals who are not what would be considered objectively low weight on a BMI chart. It allows professionals to take into account an individuals unique growth trajectory and weight history.   Criterion A was changed to focus on behaviors, like restricting calorie intake, and no longer includes the word “refusal” in terms of weight maintenance since that implies willfulness on the part of the patients. Anorexia in People of Higher Weights DSM-5 Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa A person must meet all of the current DSM criteria to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa:Restriction of food intake leading to weight loss or a failure to gain weight resulting in a significantly low body weight of what would be expected for someones age, sex and height.?Fear of becoming fat or gaining weight.?Have a distorted view of themselves and of their condition. Examples of this might include the person thinking that he or she is overweight when they are actually underweight, or believing that they will gain weight from eating one meal. A person with anorexia might also not believe there is a problem with being at a low body weight. These thoughts are known to professionals as distortions. The DSM-5  also allows professionals to specify subcategories of anorexia nervosa: Restricting Type: This is a subtype that is typically associated with the stereotypical view of anorexia nervosa. The person does not regularly engage in binge eating.?Binge-Eating/Purging Type: The person regularly engages in binge eating and purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting and/or the misuse of laxatives or diuretics. The binge eating/purging subtype is similar to bulimia nervosa; however, there is no weight-loss criterion for bulimia nervosa. As in previous editions of the DSM, anorexia nervosa trumps bulimia nervosa, meaning that if a person meets criteria for both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa that anorexia nervosa (binge-eating/purging type) is diagnosed. It also allows professionals to specify if the person is in partial remission or full remission (recovery), as well as to specify the current severity of the disorder, based on BMI. For Patients Who Do Not Meet Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa For patients who do not meet the full criteria for anorexia nervosa, Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder may be an appropriate diagnosis. Being diagnosed with OSFED as opposed to anorexia nervosa does not mean that one is not still ill and does not need help. It is important to note that individuals may meet the criteria for different eating disorders at different times as symptoms can change. There is not a distinct line between healthy and disordered, but many shades of grey in the middle. Getting Help Anorexia nervosa can cause a number of serious health consequences.  Recovery from anorexia nervosa is definitely possible. Getting help early improves the chance of a complete and lasting recovery. If you or someone you know is suffering from some or all of the above criteria, it is important they see a physician, dietician or a mental health professional for an assessment. Anorexia Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctors appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Treatment for anorexia nervosa can occur in a variety of settings based on individual need.  Though it can be extremely difficult for someone with anorexia to seek help (and difficult for loved ones to intervene), encouragement to speak to a doctor is key. This could be the first step in eventual treatment and recovery. Treatment Types for Eating Disorders