- F50
- Behavioural Syndromes
Eating Disorders (F50)
DSM-5-TR: Feeding and Eating Disorders
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
- ICD-10 RangeF50-F59
- Subcodes8 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceEating disorders affect approximately 4% of Australians. Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.
- Global PrevalenceAnorexia nervosa prevalence approximately 0.3-1%. Bulimia nervosa approximately 1-3%. Binge eating disorder approximately 1.5-3.5%.
- Duration RequirementSomatisation disorder: at least 2 years. Anorexia nervosa: ongoing body weight maintained at least 15% below expected.
Overview
Eating disorders involve persistent disturbance of eating behaviour or weight-control behaviour that results in clinically significant impairment of physical health or psychosocial functioning. The disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, as well as other eating disturbances.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Persistent disturbance of eating behaviour or weight-control behaviour
- Clinically significant impairment of physical health or psychosocial functioning
- Anorexia nervosa: deliberate weight loss with body weight at least 15% below expected
- Bulimia nervosa: repeated bouts of overeating with compensatory behaviours
- Dread of fatness as an intrusive, overvalued idea
Duration Somatisation disorder: at least 2 years. Anorexia nervosa: ongoing body weight maintained at least 15% below expected.
Exclusion Criteria
- Loss of appetite or overeating with clear medical cause
- Feeding disorder of infancy and childhood (F98.2)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F50.0 | Anorexia nervosa | Deliberate weight loss, induced and sustained by the patient. Features include restricted food intake, self-induced vomiting, purging, excessive exercise, and use of appetite suppressants. |
| F50.1 | Atypical anorexia nervosa | Disorders that fulfil some of the features of anorexia nervosa but whose overall clinical picture does not justify that diagnosis. |
| F50.2 | Bulimia nervosa | Repeated bouts of overeating and excessive preoccupation with control of body weight, leading to a pattern of overeating followed by compensatory behaviours. |
| F50.3 | Atypical bulimia nervosa | Disorders that fulfil some features of bulimia nervosa but do not justify that specific diagnosis. |
| F50.4 | Overeating associated with other psychological disturbances | Overeating as a reaction to distressing events, leading to obesity. |
| F50.5 | Vomiting associated with other psychological disturbances | Repeated vomiting not due to a medical condition, often associated with dissociative or hypochondriacal disorders. |
| F50.8 | Other eating disorders | Other specified eating disorders (includes pica and psychogenic loss of appetite). |
| F50.9 | Eating disorder, unspecified | Eating disorder where the specific type is unspecified. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Psychogenic overeating
- Psychogenic vomiting
- Pica in adults
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Anorexia or loss of appetite NOS (R63.0)
- Feeding difficulties and mismanagement (R63.3)
- Pica of infancy and childhood (F98.3)
- Feeding disorder of infancy and childhood (F98.2)
Excludes2 (may co-occur)
- Obesity (E66)
- Polyphagia NOS (R63.2)
Australian Clinical Context
Eating disorders affect approximately 4% of Australians. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) provides Australian treatment guidelines. The Butterfly Foundation offers a national helpline. MBS items cover psychiatric, psychological, and dietetic treatment. Inpatient treatment is available through specialised eating disorder units in major hospitals.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Eating Disorder Treatment Pathway
A dedicated Medicare pathway for eating disorders with significantly more sessions than standard Better Access. Requires a GP Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan.
40 psychology + 20 dietitian sessions per 12-month plan period
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 82352–82359 | Eating disorder psychological treatment |
| Registered Psychologist | 82360–82367 | Eating disorder psychological treatment |
| Dietitian | 82350–82351, 10954 | Eating disorder dietetic services |
GP referral items: 90250, 90251, 90252, 90253
Eligibility: Diagnosed eating disorder with reference to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Requires a GP Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan.
Automate MBS item capture from your sessionsGrounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Note that Binge Eating Disorder, recognised in DSM-5-TR as a distinct diagnosis, does not have a specific code in ICD-10-AM (use F50.8). ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) from DSM-5-TR is also coded under F50.8 in ICD-10-AM. Monitor physical health markers including BMI, electrolytes, and ECG.
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Eating Disorders (F50).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Binge Eating Disorder coded in ICD-10-AM?
Binge Eating Disorder does not have a specific code in ICD-10-AM. It is typically coded under F50.8 "Other eating disorders." It has its own distinct diagnosis in DSM-5-TR and ICD-11.
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC). National Practice Standards for Eating Disorders.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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