Final answer:
The DSM-5 uses a dimensional approach to classify eating disorders by expanding diagnostic criteria to account for a spectrum of symptoms, allowing for a more nuanced and flexible diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The DSM-5 has taken a dimensional approach to eating disorder classification by providing a broader spectrum to define and diagnose disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. This dimensional system acknowledges the range of symptoms and behaviors that patients may experience, rather than fitting them into a strict categorical diagnosis. This flexibility can be seen in the case of binge eating disorder, which is now recognized as a distinct disorder and does not necessarily involve compensatory behaviors such as purging, yet it includes emotional distress as part of its criteria. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of eating disorders, considering the severity and the individual's specific symptoms, rather than merely placing them into rigid categories.