FEEDING AND EATING DISORDERS - INGESTIVE PROBLEMS OF INFANCY, CHILDHOOD, AND ADOLESCENCE

The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) categorizat ion of feeding and eating problems into two broad diagnostic categorie s, ''Feeding and Eating Disorders of Infancy or Early Childhood'' and ''Eating Disorders,'' represents the realization that feeding problems of infants and children are not typically the same as eating problems of adolescents and adults. The DSM-IV adds a new diagnosis, feeding d isorder of infancy or early childhood, in the broad diagnostic categor y ''Feeding and Eating Disorders of Infancy or Early Childhood''. With in eating disorders, subtypes are proposed for anorexia nervosa (restr icting and binge/purging) and bulimia nervosa (purge and nonpurge). DS M-IV also includes research criteria for binge-eating disorder. The em pirical basis for each of these changes is presented, as well as the u tility and limitations of DSM-IV for the practice of school psychology .