Therapy for OSFED
What is OSFED?
OSFED stands for other specified feeding or eating disorder. This is seen in individuals where they experience significant symptoms of an eating disorder, but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for another eating disorder. Individuals with OSFED may have eating habits and body image issues that negatively impact their daily life and wellbeing.
Someone with OSFED may also be questioning if they are “sick enough.” However, if you are struggling with a difficult relationship to food and your body you are 100 percent “sick enough” for treatment and recovery. OSFED is just as serious as any other eating disorder.
If this resonates with you, we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from OSFED and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for OSFED in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for OSFED virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from OSFED, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Someone with OSFED may also be questioning if they are “sick enough.” However, if you are struggling with a difficult relationship to food and your body you are 100 percent “sick enough” for treatment and recovery. OSFED is just as serious as any other eating disorder.
If this resonates with you, we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from OSFED and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for OSFED in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for OSFED virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from OSFED, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Symptoms of OSFED:
- Preoccupation with food and body image.
- Fear of weight gain.
- Feelings of guilt or shame around eating.
- Experiencing negative body image.
- Restricting certain foods or amounts of food.
- Feeling a loss of control around foods.
- Using laxatives irregularly to influence weight or body shape.
- Vomiting after eating to influence weight or body shape.
How Can We Help?
At The Eating Disorder Center, we are highly skilled in providing therapy for individuals who are struggling with OSFED. We will work as part of a treatment team to help you to recover from OSFED, which may include a physician, dietitian, and/or psychiatrist.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from OSFED.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from OSFED.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is OSFED?
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is a diagnosable eating disorder that includes disordered eating patterns causing significant distress or impairment but that do not meet the full criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. OSFED is a valid and serious eating disorder, not a “less severe” diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of OSFED?
Symptoms vary widely but may include restrictive eating, binge eating, purging behaviors, intense body image concerns, rigid food rules, or distress around eating. Because OSFED encompasses multiple presentations, symptoms can change over time and may resemble other eating disorders without fitting one specific category.
How do I know if I have OSFED?
If eating behaviors, thoughts about food or weight, or body image concerns are affecting your physical health, mental well-being, or daily functioning, OSFED may be present. A comprehensive assessment by an eating disorder specialist can determine the most accurate diagnosis and appropriate level of care.
Why is OSFED the most common eating disorder?
OSFED is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder because many individuals experience clinically significant symptoms that don’t fit neatly into one category. Eating disorders often exist on a spectrum, and OSFED allows clinicians to accurately diagnose and treat those whose symptoms are just as real and impactful.
What subtypes of OSFED exist?
OSFED includes several recognized subtypes, such as atypical anorexia, bulimia nervosa of low frequency or limited duration, binge eating disorder of low frequency or limited duration, purging disorder, and night eating syndrome. These presentations can change over time and still require specialized care.
What causes OSFED?
Like other eating disorders, OSFED develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. These may include dieting, weight stigma, trauma, anxiety or depression, perfectionism, and genetic vulnerability. There is no single cause.
Is OSFED as serious as other eating disorders?
Yes. OSFED can carry medical and psychological risks comparable to other eating disorders. The severity of an eating disorder is based on behaviors and health impact—not the diagnostic label. OSFED deserves the same level of care and attention as any other eating disorder.
How is OSFED treated?
Treatment for OSFED is individualized and may include therapy, nutrition support, and medical monitoring. At The Eating Disorder Center, care is tailored to the specific behaviors and underlying factors rather than the diagnosis alone, supporting sustainable recovery.
Can OSFED turn into another eating disorder?
Yes. Eating disorder symptoms can shift over time, and OSFED may evolve into another diagnosis or vice versa. Early treatment can help prevent symptom progression and reduce the risk of increased medical or psychological harm.
Can OSFED be cured? / What does recovery look like?
Full recovery from OSFED is possible. Recovery focuses on reducing disordered eating behaviors, improving physical health, addressing underlying emotional factors, and building a healthier relationship with food and body. With appropriate treatment, full recovery is possible.
Eating disorder therapy in Rockville, Maryland, serving clients in Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Olney, North Bethesda, North Potomac, Annapolis, Clarksville, Cabin John, Bel Air and virtually throughout Maryland. Eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia, serving clients in Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax, Poquoson, and virtually throughout Virginia. We also provide virtual eating disorder therapy in Washington, D.C., Florida, and California. We offer virtual eating disorder recovery coaching worldwide with our coaches in most locations.