Diagnosing and assessing eating disorders

There are two main clinical eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third diagnosis, binge-eating disorder, has been proposed and is widely used. This contribution sets out the diagnostic criteria for these disorders. However, many people with eating disorders of clinical severity have patterns of symptoms and behaviours that fulfil criteria for none of these. Such conditions are described as 'atypical' - even though they are common - and are sometimes given the name of EDNOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified). The diagnosis of eating disorders is usually straightforward, although engaging the patient in treatment may not be.