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Diagnosing an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders, which can affect anyone but are more common in females, include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, and OSFED. Diagnosis involves physical and psychological evaluations to assess symptoms and attitudes towards food, as outlined in the DSM-5. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial due to the serious health complications associated with these disorders.

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17 views4 pages

Diagnosing an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders, which can affect anyone but are more common in females, include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, and OSFED. Diagnosis involves physical and psychological evaluations to assess symptoms and attitudes towards food, as outlined in the DSM-5. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial due to the serious health complications associated with these disorders.

Uploaded by

Anna Argento
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Diagnosing an Eating

Disorder
Overview
People who have an eating disorder may eat too little or too much food. They may also
be preoccupied with their shape or weight.

Eating disorders can affect anyone. But females in the United States are twice as likely
as males to have the illness, according to the National Eating Disorders Association
(NEDA).

There are four main types of eating disorders:

 Anorexia nervosa: People with this condition don’t eat enough. And they may
have an extremely thin appearance.
 Bulimia nervosa: People with this condition overeat and then purge to avoid
gaining weight. They may also abuse laxatives and diet pills.
 Binge eating: People with this condition eat uncontrollably and don’t purge.
 Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED): This condition was
originally called “eating disorders not otherwise specified” (EDNOS).

The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. But several factors can contribute to the
disease. Eating disorders may begin in the teen and young adult years. These are ages
when many people are focused on their self-image. The illness can also run in families.
Some emotional disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, increase
the risk for an eating disorder.

Eating disorders can have serious, life-threatening complications. So, it’s important to
get help for these conditions. But before a doctor can treat an eating disorder, they have
to diagnose the condition. Some people may deny a problem. But certain symptoms can
show that someone may have an issue with food.

Doctors use physical and psychological evaluations to diagnose eating disorders. They’ll
also make sure you meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. These criteria are
outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),
published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Physical evaluations
Physical exam

During a physical exam, your doctor will check your height, weight, and vital signs.
Your doctor will also listen to your lungs and heart, since eating disorders can cause:

 high or low blood pressure


 slow breathing
 slow pulse rates

Your doctor may examine your abdomen. They may also check your skin and hair for
dryness, or look for brittle nails. And they may ask about any other possible problems,
like a sore throat or intestinal issues. These can be complications of bulimia.

Laboratory tests

Eating disorders can damage the body and cause problems with vital organs. So, doctors
may run lab tests, including:

 a complete blood count


 liver, kidney, and thyroid function tests
 urinalysis
Your doctor may also order an X-ray to look for broken bones, which can be a sign of
bone loss from anorexia or bulimia. And an electrocardiogram can check your heart
irregularities. Your doctor may also examine your teeth for signs of decay. This is
another symptom of an eating disorder.

Psychological evaluations
Doctors don’t diagnose eating disorders based on a physical exam. A psychological
evaluation by a mental health doctor is also required.

Your mental health doctor will ask you questions about your eating habits. The goal is to
understand your attitude toward food and eating. The doctor also needs to get an idea of
how you perceive your body.

The questions can be personal, especially when talking about dieting, binging, purging,
or extreme exercise habits. It’s important to answer honestly so your doctor can make an
accurate diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

Reviewing diagnostic criteria for


eating disorders
To be diagnosed with an eating disorder, you must meet the criteria for a
specific type of disorder. Symptoms of eating disorders vary depending on the
type of eating disorder. They may include:

Anorexia nervosa
 thin appearance
 insomnia
 extreme tiredness
 dizziness or fainting spells
 bluish nails
 brittle hair and nails
 constipation
 dry skin
 irregular heart rhythm

Bulimia nervosa
 fear of gaining weight
 extreme use of weight loss supplements
 forced vomiting
 extreme exercising
 regularly using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas

Binge eating
 eating unusually large portions of food
 eating until uncomfortably full
 insistence on eating alone
 constantly dieting but not losing weight
 depression and anxiety

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