A doctor may be able to detect the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder during a medical exam, but they rarely give a definitive diagnosis of the condition based on physical symptoms alone.
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that require a thorough assessment by a mental health provider or care provider, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. Many mental health providers use an eating disorder examination questionnaire.
During a medical exam, a doctor may perform a physical examination and lab tests to rule out other medical conditions that may be causing similar symptoms. They may also likely ask questions about your eating habits, including your food intake, weight loss or gain, and other related behaviors, if you are taking diet pills, if there is any self-induced vomiting, and see if your body mass index shows any indicative signs of a diagnosis that suggests disordered eating. It is important to know the symptoms and be aware of what your provider is assessing, including abnormal intake patterns and other behaviors.
Most often, an eating disorder diagnosis is determined by a mental health provider who can assess how you feel, including your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to food and body image.
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can manifest in many different ways, making them difficult to recognize at first. The signs and symptoms of eating disorders often depend on the specific type of eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, but there are some common indicators that may signal a problem.
People with eating disorders may show changes in their eating habits, such as skipping meals, following strict food rules, or suddenly avoiding certain foods or entire food groups. Some individuals may engage in restrictive eating, while others may experience episodes of binge eating or purging. These behaviors are often accompanied by a preoccupation with body image, weight, or the desire to lose weight, even when at a healthy weight or underweight.
It’s important to remember that you cannot always tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them. Many people with eating disorders maintain a normal appearance, and their struggles may be hidden from friends and family. However, being aware of the signs and symptoms can help you support a loved one or seek help for yourself.
What if I do Not Want to See a Doctor?
If you are concerned that you may have an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or a binge eating disorder and are hesitant to go to your doctor, you can visit the National Eating Disorders Association and take their online quiz to get a preliminary idea of your risk.
It is important to talk to eating disorder professionals who can provide a comprehensive evaluation and determine appropriate treatment. You may want to make a list of your symptoms or concerns before talking to a professional, as this can help you get the support or diagnosis you need. Eating disorders can have serious physical and psychological consequences, even death if left untreated.
How Doctors Diagnose Eating Disorders
Various experts diagnose eating disorders. Family doctors are often the primary care providers involved in early detection, along with mental health specialists, ranging from counselors, psychologists to psychiatrists. When a health care provider does a physical exam, they can apply diagnostic criteria by looking at an individual’s physical complications, medical complications, and noticing symptoms around eating behaviors.
When someone has healthy eating habits, family members often do not see the warning signs of anorexia, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders. Primary care providers may assess risk factors such as genetic, social, or behavioral influences that increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder, prompting further investigation. Usually someone has an obsession to lose weight yet they appear to have a healthy diet and normal eating habits they could be suffering from an obsessive compulsive disorder.
Physical and psychological evaluations by the health care team allow the proper diagnosis for treating eating disorders.
What Criteria Are Used to Diagnose Eating Disorders?
Most doctors and other eating disorder professionals use the American Psychiatric Association (APA’s) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition) to determine the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of eating disorders. These criteria include symptoms such as extreme restriction of food intake, episodes of binge eating, and compensatory behaviors.
This book gives detailed criteria to determine not only the level of serious illnesses by categorizing as mild to severe, it also gives the specific type of disordered eating, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders. Some things, including dieting or exercise habits, may mimic eating disorder symptoms but are not always indicative of a disorder.
Although eating disorders are serious illnesses with physical and emotional complications, there are no laboratory tests to detect eating disorders.
Binge eating disorders, which will have its own category in the next edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), to be published in May, is thought to affect 13 million Americans, 40% of them men.
Laboratory tests
Eating disorders can cause physical distress on our bodies. In severe cases, patients may need to be admitted to a hospital for monitoring and treatment. Generally during a physical exam a doctor may order laboratory tests to see if blood count and bone density are showing signs that need to be addressed. Some laboratory tests may be performed in a hospital setting, especially if intensive care is required.
A cardiologist can also detect ventricular problems from laboratory tests. Lastly, dentists can notice and might refer for laboratory testing due to tooth decay from stomach acid caused by self induced vomiting.
Can a Doctor Tell if You have Anorexia?
Yes. Most doctors, as stated above, would do a physical exam and laboratory tests to assess how well a patient is functioning both physically and emotionally. If suspected, most medical doctors would refer out for a psychological evaluation and might refer directly to an eating disorder treatment program.
With early intervention, patients have a better chance of recovery. However, over time, untreated anorexia can lead to serious complications affecting overall health. Some individuals may weigh themselves multiple times a day as part of their disorder, which can indicate the severity and compulsive nature of the condition.
Can I say I have an Eating Disorder Without being Diagnosed?
Yes, however, even if self-identified, a person will still be evaluated by a health care provider if seeking help at a facility or outpatient center that offers eating disorders programs. The provider will typically conduct an intake assessment to evaluate food intake patterns, behaviors, and overall health.
If you believe anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating are in fact present, please seek help with a qualified provider. A health care provider can assist with accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing support.
In Conclusion
Regardless of your weight, if you enter a program for eating disorders, your treatment team will assist you in developing a unique treatment plan to help you achieve a balanced diet and healthy mindset.
Mental health professionals help improve self esteem most often through talk therapy and Cognative behavioral therapy "CBT".
People with disordered eating may also benefit from group therapy, where they can find support and talk openly about their feelings and concerns with others who share common experiences.
If you or a someone you care about needs to seek professional help for anorexia or other eating disorders, we hope this article has brought options for you to change your life.
