DSM-5 Severity Ratings for Eating Disorders: Some Clinical Implications and Future Directions

Comments on the article by A. B. Dang et al. (see record 2022-48933-001). This review summarizes important evidence on what researchers have been claiming since the severity criteria for eating disorders (ED) were established, that these criteria do not represent all the relevant symptoms related to ED and that they are based on arbitrary thresholds. Upcoming versions of the DSM should consider all the evidence that point out the limitations of the current severity diagnosis for ED. Moreover, future classifications for ED severity should be based on robust empirical evidence that supports its use. In conclusion, the results presented in the review by Dang et al. should be a springboard to establish new classification criteria that overcome the limitations of the current system and help to improve the clinical tools, with the aim of establishing more precise diagnoses for ED. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)