OSFED

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) Treatment

Compassionate, specialist support for individuals experiencing OSFED – a serious and often misunderstood eating disorder that requires personalised, evidence-based care.

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osfed EXPLAINED

What Is OSFED?

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is a clinically recognised eating disorder diagnosed when a person’s symptoms cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet every criterion for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder.

1.25M

people living with an eating disorder

Understanding what OSFED looks like in day-to-day life is an important step in recognising the need for support and accessing appropriate care.

OSFED is not a “mild” or “less severe” diagnosis; it encompasses a wide range of experiences that still require specialist, evidence-based care.

46%

of Adults feel unhappy about their appearance

ASPECTS OF IMPORTANCE

Understanding oSFED Eating Disorder Presentations

OSFED can include a range of clinically recognised presentations, such as:

  • Restrictive eating patterns accompanied by an intense fear of weight gain or overvaluation of shape and weight, even when weight remains within or above the expected range (Atypical Anorexia)
  • Binge eating or purging that occurs at a lower frequency or for a shorter duration than required for another diagnosis (subthreshold bulimia nervosa or subthreshold binge eating disorder)
  • Regular purging behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, in the absence of binge eating (purging disorder)
  • Recurrent episodes of eating during the night, either after waking or by consuming a significant proportion of daily intake late in the evening (night eating syndrome)

These presentations all reflect clinically significant distress and warrant specialist assessment and support.

How We Support you

Signs and Symptoms of OSFED

Symptoms of OSFED vary widely. Some may appear less “obvious” than those associated with anorexia or bulimia, yet the emotional impact is often profound. Many individuals describe feeling “not sick enough”, even while struggling daily with difficult thoughts or behaviours around food.

Common signs include:


  • Restricting, bingeing, or purging that does not meet full diagnostic criteria
  • Preoccupation with weight, shape, or eating rituals
  • Feeling “not sick enough” despite distress
  • Fluctuating appetite or weight changes
  • Shame, anxiety, or secrecy around food
  • Difficulty regulating emotions or coping with stress

The Importance of Recognition

OSFED symptoms are real, meaningful, and can significantly affect emotional and physical wellbeing. Early recognition helps individuals access appropriate support before symptoms become more entrenched.

How The London Centre
Supports OSFED Recovery

Our expert-led, personalised approach ensures that OSFED treatment is adapted to each individual’s needs, symptoms, and goals. Given the diversity within OSFED presentations, our treatment plans remain flexible and collaborative. Our multidisciplinary team includes psychologists, dietitians, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and family therapists, enabling us to support both behavioural patterns and underlying emotional difficulties. Treatment aims to rebuild stability, confidence, and day-to-day well-being.

Personalised Care

Personalised and
Collaborative Care

Each treatment plan is tailored to your presentation and recovery stage. We work alongside you to ensure therapy feels compassionate, safe, and clinically effective.

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Personalised Care

Therapies Used to Treat
OSFED

We offer a wide range of evidence-based therapies informed by the NICE guidelines on eating disorders. Therapy supports individuals in understanding the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that maintain their eating difficulties, while also helping to restore healthy patterns of eating and improve overall wellbeing.

Treatments available at The London Centre include:

  • CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders)
  • MANTRA Therapy
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
  • Schema Therapy
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

A Holistic Approach to Recovery

Because OSFED varies widely, treatment is always tailored to each individual rather than relying on a standard approach. Our integrated model considers emotional, behavioural, nutritional, and physical needs, ensuring that each person receives comprehensive and responsive support throughout their recovery.

Benefits of Specialist OSFED Treatment

  • Improved emotional regulation and coping strategies
  • A healthier relationship with food and body image
  • Reduced eating disorder behaviours and distress
  • Strengthened confidence and self-esteem
  • Increased insight into patterns and triggers
  • Sustainable recovery with long-term support
A Place of Specialist Support

When to Seek Help for
OSFED

Many people delay seeking help because OSFED symptoms can feel unclear or “not severe enough”. In reality, early intervention leads to better outcomes and prevents symptoms from becoming more difficult to treat. The London Centre offers private, flexible outpatient care suited to a wide range of OSFED presentations. If you are concerned about OSFED eating disorder symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, it is always appropriate to reach out.

Start your journey

Take the First Step
Towards Recovery

You do not have to navigate OSFED alone. With the right support, recovery is entirely possible at any stage. Our team offers compassionate guidance, evidence-based treatment, and a safe space to explore your relationship with food, emotions, and wellbeing.

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FAQs

FAQs About OSFED Treatment

OSFED stands for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder. It describes eating disorder presentations that cause significant distress but do not meet every criterion for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. At The London Centre, OSFED is treated with the same seriousness and clinical care as any other eating disorder.

Diagnosis involves assessing thoughts, emotions, behaviours, physical health, and the impact of symptoms on daily life. Our clinicians conduct thorough assessments to clarify your presentation and recommend a personalised treatment plan.

Yes. OSFED can carry the same emotional and physical risks as all other eating disorders. We approach all OSFED presentations with the same level of clinical expertise and support.

There is no single therapy that works best for everyone with OSFED. The most effective approach depends on each individual’s symptoms, the factors maintaining their eating difficulties, and their personal preferences. Therapies offered at The London Centre, including CBT-E, MANTRA, CFT, Schema Therapy, DBT, RO-DBT, ACT, EMDR, IPT, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, are selected based on what best fits your needs and recovery goals. Your clinician will work collaboratively with you to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

It can, particularly when symptoms remain untreated. Early intervention reduces this risk and supports a more stable, sustainable recovery.

Length of treatment varies depending on the nature and severity of symptoms. Some individuals benefit from shorter-term support, while others may work with us over a longer period. We will help you find the right pace and level of care.

Yes. All therapies offered by The London Centre can be delivered online, providing flexibility for those living outside London or preferring remote sessions.

Family involvement can be helpful, particularly for adolescents or individuals whose recovery is supported by others at home. We discuss this as part of your assessment and treatment planning to ensure it feels appropriate for you.