General information

Many factors are taken into account when diagnosing an eating disorder. When doctors visit with patients, they will discuss significant fluctuations in patients’ weight and unusual physical changes they might be experiencing. The doctor may ask some of the following questions.

• What would you normally eat during a 24-hour time period?
• Do you consciously avoid certain foods, such as foods that contain fat? Do you count calories or fat grams?
• How much do you exercise in a 24-hour time period?
• Do you take laxatives, diuretics or diet pills?
• Have you ever purged following a meal?

Answers to these questions, along with a physical exam, will help doctors determine if more physical evaluation is needed. If further evaluation is needed, make an appointment for a full assessment at Eating Disorder Institute.

Medications often are used in treating eating disorders, as they can be very beneficial for some patients. In addition to eating disorder behaviors such as depression, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors and anxiety, symptoms often need attention through forms of medication. By treating obsessive thoughts with medication, for example, patients are better able to focus on fighting the eating disorder itself. Doctors and psychiatrists will assess the patient’s need for medication and prescribe as needed.