Other (EDNOS)

These are serious eating disorders that do not fit neatly into the research criteria for anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder. For instance, people may have a severely restricted eating pattern buy may still have their periods and if a woman, may not therefore be classified as anorexic. Or, they may meet all the criteria for bulimia except that the binge eating and purging behaviour may occur less frequently than twice a week.

Many of the early onset stage of eating disorders may be initially diagnosed as EDNOS, but it is wise not to wait for all the diagnostic criteria to be filled before you consult a GP or another health professional. Please note that these illnesses can be fatal so it is vital to organise professional help as soon as possible.

Compulsive Exercising

It is easy to assume that purging behaviour simply means vomiting or laxative abuse. However, a form of purging that is often overlooked is compulsive exercising. This does not mean ‘getting fit’ or heading off to the gym. Rather it is exercise that is done from a frantic and compulsive desire to rid the body of excess calories and fat. People who suffer from this do not heed the usual warnings signs and may continue to exercise when over tired or even when they suffer an actual injury.

What motivates these people is not the enjoyment of exercise itself, but the need to ‘obey’ a rule in their head that pushes them on to exercise strenuously, even though the activity may actually be having a harmful affect on their bodies.

Sometimes these people are called ‘gym junkies’, but exercise may be hidden in the form for tortuous sit-up regimes in the privacy of one’s bedroom or the need to walk many kilometres after dark.

How do I know if my exercise is a problem?

Do you exercise…

  • More than 7 times per week?
  • When in physical pain?
  • Without enjoyment?
  • To rid your body of calories?
  • More than your doctor has advised?
  • For permission to eat?
  • With an obsessive attitude?
  • For more than 2 hours per episode?
  • When injured?

Do you feel…

  • Guilty when you don’t exercise?
  • Anxious and irritable when you are unable to exercise?
  • As though your life revolves around how and when you can exercise?

If you recognise one or more of these behaviours or attitudes in yourself, talk to your doctor or therapist. Regular exercise can be an enjoyable part of a healthy life – but when done in excess – can be dangerous.