I had my eating disorder assessment today...

"biblically hungary" was also amusing :D

NOS=Not otherwise specified, meaning it doesn't fit into a specific diagnostic category.

It doesn't necessarily mean the diagnosis is unspecific or they don't know. It depends on several factors.

Who did the assessment? Eating Disorder NOS we use if criteria are unspecific under the DSM 5. Under the DSM IV, certain disorders such as Binge Eating Disorder were not diagnoses, so if that was applicable and the clinician was only using the DSM IV, you could not be diagnosed with it. So, it depends on the clinician and their system. We all do this differently. For instance, when I diagnose an eating disorder I take a psychosocial history and use a few metric tools, as well as consult other of the medical providers who work on the individual's case. I use the DSM 5, and I actually can't even remember the last time I did an EDNOS diagnosis.

For instance, my psychologist only used DSM IV for assessments, so for my bariatric surgery I was diagnosed with Eating Disorder NOS in the assessment, even though I actually had a binge eating disorder diagnosis. It's because BED doesn't exist in the DSM IV, and we have to use the assessment language.

Don't read too much into the diagnostic label - what's more important are the symptom clusters the individual noted.

Feel free to get a copy of your assessment, or to call the clinician and inquire for specifics. Basically, there is not enough information to say why. Only the provider who diagnosed it knows, and you should ask them.

Thanks for explaining this!

I was diagnosed with EDNOS a couple of years ago. When asked I tell people I basically just have disordered eating. It's not compulsive or binge eating, although there were times I would binge (not anymore now), but how I viewed food was disordered. I've been catching myself falling back into those patterns, so I've talked to my therapist and I'm not allowing myself to get upset over carbs (aka not even bothering counting them).

Many of us have an eating disorder who have had surgery. You are definitely not alone :)

It is a hard place to be in. Many will blame our surgery, or this or that, for the weight loss or gain. The reality is we developed an eating disorder in the past, and that it is a daily struggle that typical WLS patients may not even necessarily understand. It takes great strength and courage to do what you did, to just get an assessment. I put mine off for nearly 15 years. It is terrifying to do.

Congratulations on the first step, and if you need support, do not hesitate to get it!

Thank you for your encouraging words