Review of DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa and Recommendations to Improve Inclusivity

Abstract

This article reviews issues with the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, which is a controversial topic. It discusses how the criteria can be vague and exclude certain populations who can be affected by this eating disorder. After this discussion, some suggestions to improve the diagnostic criteria are made in order to ensure more inclusivity in the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. This article is meant to provide a new perspective on how the current diagnostic criteria has some limitations which may imply that all the affected individuals who need help are not receiving it. The current criteria is directed towards a very specific subset of the population who lives with anorexia nervosa, and it does not include other subsets who present with different symptoms.