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.
Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosis - A medically qualified doctor will refer to a list of diagnostic criteria when making a diagnosis for the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. There are two two types of anorexia nervosa: the restricting type, and the binge-eating / purging type.
Bulimia Nervosa Diagnosis - A medically qualified doctor will refer to a list of diagnostic criteria when making a diagnosis for the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. There are two two types of bulimia nervosa: the purging type, and the non-purging type.
Binge Eating Disorder Diagnosis - Technically speaking, binge-eating disorder is not classified as an actual eating disorder. However, some diagnostic criteria have been suggested which take into account the nature and frequency of binge eating episodes.
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) - Many eating disorders do not fit neatly into a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, as they do not meet the necessary criteria. A diagnosis of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified may be given instead.