Eating Disorders Diagnosis
An eating disorder diagnosis will be made by a medically qualified doctor, who will examine the patient's medical history, ask questions about their attitudes and behaviour towards food, and perform physical health checks. They will often refer to a list of diagnostic criteria to aid them with their diagnosis.
Many cases of eating disorders are never diagnosed. This may be due to patients being in denial of their symptoms or too embarrassed and ashamed to come forward.
Eating disorders are sometimes diagnosed as a result of family or friends intervening and persuading the person concerned to see a doctor. Unfortunately some doctors are unfamiliar with eating disorders and will fail to recognise the symptoms (especially if the patient tries to hide them) and make a diagnosis.
The health consequences of an ongoing eating disorder can be severe and sometimes fatal. The sooner an eating disorder diagnosis is made, the sooner treatment can be arranged and the greater the chances of a successful recovery.
More Information
Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosis - An anorexia nervosa diagnosis involves an analysis of the individual's physical signs and symptoms, along with his or her beliefs and behaviours.
Bulimia Nervosa Diagnosis - A bulimia nervosa diagnosis focuses on an analysis of the individual's bingeing and purging behaviours along with his or her beliefs and attitudes.
Binge Eating Disorder Diagnosis - A suggested binge eating disorder diagnosis takes into account the frequency and duration of binge eating episodes and the individual's feelings and attitudes towards his or her behaviour.
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified - Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) is the diagnosis given for an eating disorder that does not meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
