Also see Bulimia and Anorexia in males

Andersen and Mickalide [24] noted that 21 percent of male patients who were referred to Johns Hopkins eating disorders clinic had an eating disturbance with weight loss or abnormal eating patterns in the absence of criteria of DSM-III anorexia nervosa.

One group had a swallowing phobia (fear of choking) with significant weight loss, previously misdiagnosed as anorexia nervosa. An earlier choking episode (often vaguely recalled) and a second, more recent choking episode resulted in a sustained fear of choking associated with severe dietary restriction of solid food. (Blinder [39] noted that this syndrome may be a variant of anorexia occurring in a post-traumatic context; he found patients who exhibited similar fears after mouth injury or dental surgery. Choking and aspiration associated with a rare chronic ruminatory disorder, may also lead to food restriction [40]).

Andersen and Michalide [24] also noted patients who had a classic panic disorder with an associated preoccupation with fears of public vomiting, leading to food restriction and diminished weight. In contrast, a patient with general anxiety had specific overeating episodes unassociated with the fear of obesity [24].

These atypical eating disorders may be defined as a mild form of anorexia and are differentiated from anorexia nervosa since full DSM-III criteria for anorexia nervosa are not present.