NEDA TOOLKIT for Educators
Cognitive Orientation Therapy (COT) A type of
cognitive therapy that uses a systematic procedure
to understand the meaning of a patient’s behavior
by exploring certain themes such as aggression and
avoidance. The procedure for modifying behavior
then focuses on systematically changing the patient’s
beliefs related to the themes and not directly to eating
behavior. Comorbid Conditions Multiple physical and/or mental
conditions existing in a person at the same time.
Crisis Residential Treatment Services Short-term,
around-the clock help provided in a nonhospital setting
during a crisis. The purposes of this care are to avoid
inpatient hospitalization, help stabilize the individual in
crisis, and determine the next appropriate step.
Cure The treated condition or disorder is permanently
gone, never to return in the individual who received
treatment. Not to be confused with “remission.”
Dental Caries Tooth cavities. The teeth of people with
bulimia who using vomiting as a purging method may
be especially vulnerable to developing cavities because
of the exposure of teeth to the high acid content of
vomit. Depression or Major Depressive Disorder A condition
characterized by one or more major depressive
episodes consisting of two or more weeks during which
a person experiences a depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. It is one of
the mood disorders listed in the DSM-5.
Depressive Disorders A group of mental disorders
characterized by the presence of sad, empty, or
irritable mood that affects the individual’s ability to
function normally. These disorders include disruptive
mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive
disorder, persistent depressive disorder, depressive
disorder due to another medical condition, other
specified depressive disorder, and unspecified
depressive disorder.
Diabetic Omission of Insulin A nonpurging method
of compensating for excess calorie intake that may be
used by a person with diabetes and bulimia.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) A type of
behavioral therapy that views emotional deregulation
as the core problem in bulimia nervosa. It involves
teaching people with bulimia nervosa new skills to
regulate negative emotions and replace dysfunctional
behavior. A typical course of treatment is weekly two-
hour group sessions lasting 20 weeks.
Disordered Eating Term used to describe any atypical
eating behavior.
Drunkorexia Slang. Behaviors that include replacing
food consumption with excessive alcohol consumption
and/or consuming food along with sufficient amounts
of alcohol to induce vomiting as a method of purging
and numbing feelings.
DSM-5 The fifth (and most current, as of 2015) edition
of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental
Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric
Association (APA). This manual lists mental diseases,
conditions, and disorders as well as the criteria
established by the APA to diagnose them.
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria A list of symptoms in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders
5 published by the APA. The criteria describe the
features of the mental diseases and disorders listed
in the manual. For a particular mental disorder to be
diagnosed in an individual, the individual must exhibit
the symptoms listed in the criteria for that disorder.
Many health plans require that a DSM-5 diagnosis be
made by a qualified clinician before approving benefits
for a patient seeking treatment for a mental disorder
such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
Dual Diagnosis Two mental health disorders in a
patient at the same time, as diagnosed by a clinician.
For example, a patient may be given a diagnosis of both
bulimia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder or
of anorexia and major depressive disorder.
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) A fellowship of
individuals who share their experiences with each other
to try to solve common problems and help each other
recover from their eating disorders.
Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) A
term previously used to describe any disorder of eating
that does not meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. With the
publication of the DSM-5, EDNOS is now referred to as
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Page | 33