Binge eating disorder in BED are generally described as having the following potential features: In contrast to bulimia nervosa, binge eating episodes are not regularly followed by activities intended to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or enema misuse, or strenuous exercise. BED is characterized more by overeating than dietary restriction and over concern about body shape. Obesity is common in persons with BED, as are depressive features, low self-esteem, stress and boredom. As with other eating disorders, binge eating is an "expressive disorder"—a disorder that is an expression of deeper psychological problems. People who suffer from binge eating disorder have
Other specified feeding or eating disorder in the literature, as it was perceived to be uncommon compared to the other defined eating disorders. In "DSM-III-R", published in 1987, the Atypical Eating Disorder category became known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). "DSM-III-R" included examples of individuals who would meet criteria for EDNOS, in part to acknowledge the increasingly recognized heterogeneity of individuals within the diagnostic category. In 1994, "DSM-IV" was published and expanded EDNOS to include six clinical presentations. These presentations included individuals who: A disadvantage of "DSM-IV"'s broad EDNOS category was that people with very different symptoms were still classified as having the same