How do you get diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Eating disorders can seriously impact a person’s mental and physical health. In some cases, they can be life-threatening. However, with early intervention and ongoing support, recovery is possible. By accessing treatment, people with eating disorders can heal their minds and bodies.

Eating disorders are complex conditions, and most people require professional help to manage them. So if you’re trying to heal your relationship with food and your body, one of the most important things you can do is to seek a professional evaluation. This is the first step in obtaining a formal diagnosis and ultimately getting the help you deserve to manage your mental and physical health.

Are eating disorders diagnosable?

Most people know what it’s like to be unhappy with their body or appearance. Feeling self-conscious about the way you look, while not uncommon, can be uncomfortable. But this isn’t the same as having an eating disorder. 

Eating disorders are clinical mental health conditions, and there are several different types. For example, you may have heard of conditions like binge eating disorder (BED), anorexia nervosa, other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED), avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia, and pica. Each of these conditions have unique symptoms, but they also have a few things in common. All eating disorders negatively impact mental and physical health, and they disrupt a person’s ability to function.

To be diagnosed with an eating disorder, a medical provider or mental health professional will listen to your concerns, review your history, and consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This book outlines the specific diagnostic criteria used to identify the presence of an eating disorder. 

Additionally, your provider will rely on the details you share about symptoms and how they impact your health and quality of life. Once your provider formalizes your diagnosis and identifies any co-occurring conditions, you’ll work together to determine next steps. 

Who can diagnose an eating disorder?

Learning the signs and symptoms of eating disorders can help you identify when you might need help. But self-diagnosis can’t replace a professional evaluation, and going without a formal diagnosis can prevent you from receiving life-saving care.

If you’re concerned you might have an eating disorder, there are a few different types of professionals who can provide a diagnosis to ensure you get the treatment you need. These include: 

• Primary care physicians and other doctors
• Pediatricians
• Therapists
• Psychiatrists

Registered dietitians can support treatment through specialized nutrition counseling, though they do not provide formal diagnoses.

How to prepare for your appointment 

Once you’ve identified the provider you want to speak to, the following tips can help you navigate the conversation.

• Come prepared. Most appointments with providers will last about an hour. So to help make the most of your session, take some time to write down what you want to share ahead of time. Make note of your current symptoms, when you first noticed them, and if you can identify anything that tends to make them better or worse. These insights will help your provider get a fuller picture of your mental health.
• Be direct. Talking about eating disorder symptoms can feel difficult or even bring up feelings of shame, but providing clear information will help your provider support you effectively. You can say something like, “I’m concerned that I might have an eating disorder. Can we talk about what I’m experiencing?”
• Ask questions. Remember that this conversation is a two-way street. Yes, your provider will ask lots of questions, but this is also a time for you to ask questions, too. You can ask them about their experience treating eating disorders, the types of modalities they use, and other professionals they might collaborate with (i.e. physicians or dietitians). 
• Bring support. You might find it helpful to bring a trusted friend or loved one with you to your first appointment. Most providers will welcome this, but it might help to check with them beforehand. Having someone else to take notes and offer emotional support can make the process feel less daunting.

Why is it hard to get diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Getting a correct diagnosis can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Provider shortages. Today, there simply aren’t enough providers to meet the needs of everyone who needs eating disorder treatment. While access is improving with teletherapy, some people still report waiting weeks or months for an appointment. 
• Financial barriers. Eating disorders may require ongoing inpatient or outpatient care. These services can be costly, especially for those who don’t have health insurance.
• Difficulty opening up. Stigma can make eating disorders difficult to talk about, especially if you don’t have an established relationship with your provider. This may keep you from seeking a diagnosis and initiating conversations about your health.
• Failed attempts. Many healthcare providers don’t receive adequate training about eating disorders. This can mean that even if you disclose your concerns, your doctor might not have the knowledge to provide an accurate diagnosis. 
• Co-occurring conditions. Many people with eating disorders also have other co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorder (SUD). Sometimes, the presence of these conditions can make it more difficult to identify and diagnose eating disorders.
• Cultural or societal influences: Social pressures and cultural stigmas around body image can cause people to downplay or hide their symptoms. In some cultures, there may also be a lack of understanding or acceptance of eating disorders, making diagnosis harder.
• Denial or lack of self-awareness: Many people with eating disorders don’t realize how serious their condition is, especially early on. This can delay getting help or accurately reporting symptoms. Denial can also act as a defense mechanism, making it harder to recognize the disorder.

Find care with Rula

Living with an eating disorder can negatively affect your health and well-being in many ways. Left untreated, these risks can worsen over time and, in severe cases, even put your life in danger. But it’s important to remember that eating disorders are treatable. With early intervention and ongoing support, you can enter recovery and live a full, healthy life. 

At Rula, we believe that everyone deserves timely, affordable access to quality mental health care. Whether you’re facing an eating disorder or other condition, you can use our streamlined therapist-matching program to seek help today. With our extensive network of over 10,000 providers, you can find a therapist who takes your insurance and schedule your first session for as soon as tomorrow.

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