OSFED Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA
While many people fit into commonly known categories of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, there is another one that affects up to six percent of the population. Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) defines people who otherwise do not qualify as having another type of eating disorder. While some may find it easy to think this type of eating disorder is not as serious as others, it actually proves to be dangerous and potentially deadly. For this reason, an adolescent dealing with it requires an OSFED eating disorder treatment center that includes an individually tailored approach to address the unique needs of a diverse population of sufferers.
What is (OSFED) Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder?
Someone who does not meet the diagnostic criteria for any other eating disorder is considered to have OSFED. Previously known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), the name was changed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 2013.
There are five categories that fall under the umbrella of OSFED. These include:
Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: All diagnostic criteria for anorexia are met with the exception of substantial weight loss or low body weight. The person’s weight is within or above a healthy weight range.
Binge Eating Disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration): All diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder are met with the exception of the number of times the person uses behaviors. They binge eat less often, typically less than once a week, or for a total time of fewer than three months.
Bulimia Nervosa (of low frequency and/or limited duration): All diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa are met with the exception of the number of times the person uses behaviors. They binge and purge less often, typically less than once a week, or for a total time of fewer than three months.
Purging Disorder: The recurrent usage of purging behaviors, including self-induced vomiting, and using laxatives and diuretics, in order to alter a person’s body shape or weight without also engaging in binge eating.
Night Eating Syndrome: This includes recurrent episodes of eating at night. The individual either consumes an excessive amount of food after dinner or wakes up after going to sleep and eats a large amount of food. The behaviors do not fall under the heading of binge eating disorder.
Types of Treatment for OSFED Eating Disorder
Eating disorder-trained professionals who understand how to work with a diverse population, including adolescents, can provide a multi-disciplinary approach to overcoming OSFED. Common transdiagnostic approaches to this include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The goals of both types of therapy include helping young people learn to recognize their own distorted thinking patterns and emotional reactions and how those can trigger eating disorder behaviors. From there, they can learn to make peace with their thoughts and reactions, develop positive ones, and problem-solve in a healthy way when triggers occur.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) can help people with OSFED become comfortable with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or ordering food at restaurants. A therapist leads a group of adolescents on outings to places like restaurants and stores to help teach them a new relationship with food and how they interact with it.
Proper OSFED eating disorder treatment for adolescents should include family-focused therapy and communication. This allows the family to understand the challenges their loved ones face and come together to help them heal.
Benefits of Receiving Treatment for OSFED Eating Disorder
One of the main benefits of receiving professional OSFED eating disorder treatment involves being able to take advantage of several eating disorder-trained professionals who know how to use compassion and wisdom in communicating with an adolescent population. The treatment professionals include:
- Therapists
- Psychiatrists
- MD
- Nurses (RN and LVN)
- Registered Dietitians (RD)
- Chefs
- Mental Health Workers
When adolescents attend treatment together in a residential setting, they can also benefit from peer support. Each person in treatment understands the challenges of being a teenager trying to cope with an eating disorder. This helps them build bonds with one another and offer and receive support as they learn to recover.
Additionally, treatment for OSFED includes helping each person redefine their relationships with their body, clothing size, and how they move around in the world. It helps take the focus off an image-obsessed society and allows the person to reimagine having a healthy relationship with food.
Contact Our OSFED Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA
When someone you love struggles with an eating disorder but you don’t know what name to put to it, it can cause a delay in seeking appropriate treatment. Trellis Recovery Centers in Los Angeles understands the complex nature of Other Specified Feeding Or Eating Disorder and employs eating disorder-trained professionals who understand how to treat adolescents. Our multi-disciplinary treatment targets teaching young people to relearn relationships with food and their bodies. We provide family-focused care designed to protect and nurture your child while they heal.
If you would like more information about our OSFED eating disorder treatment center, visit our admissions page now. It’s easy to get started helping your child today.
