When is anorexia nervosa diagnosed

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Eating Behaviors. Eating disorders. They will also do a psychological exam or refer you to a mental health professional who will ask about your eating habits and feelings. They will look for any criteria that show:. Your primary care provider may also order certain laboratory tests. Blood tests may be ordered to check your electrolyte levels and liver and kidney function. In addition, your primary care provider may check your bone density and look for heart irregularities.

Your primary care provider may also order other laboratory tests to rule out other possible causes for weight loss, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

One of the biggest obstacles in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is realizing that you need help. That can make treatment difficult. The main goal of treatment is to restore your body to a normal weight and establish normal eating habits. A dietitian will help you learn how to eat properly. It might also be recommended that your family take part in therapy with you. For many people, anorexia nervosa is a lifelong challenge. You and your family must work hard to overcome anorexia nervosa.

Individual, family, and group therapies are often an integral part of treatment. A form of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to treat anorexia nervosa. CBT helps change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Its goal is to help you learn to cope with strong emotions and build healthy self-esteem.

Family therapy gets family members involved in keeping you on track with your healthy eating and lifestyle. Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition. The main sign is significant weight loss or low body weight. In atypical anorexia nervosa, the person may still have a moderate weight despite substantial weight loss. The person may also demonstrate certain behaviors, such as :. The person may associate food and eating with guilt. They may seem unaware that anything is wrong or be unwilling to recognize their issues around eating.

Anorexia nervosa affects people differently. Not everyone with the condition will behave in the same way, and some individuals may experience atypical anorexia nervosa, meaning that they will not have a low body weight. Concerns about body weight and shape are often features of anorexia nervosa, but they may not be the main cause. Experts do not know exactly why the condition occurs, but genetic, environmental, biological, and other factors may play a role.

For some people, anorexia nervosa develops as a way of gaining control over an aspect of their life. As the person exerts control over their food intake, this feels like success, and so, the behavior continues. A person may also have a higher chance of developing an eating disorder if:. In , researchers found that people with anorexia nervosa may have different gut microbial communities than those without the condition. This could contribute to anxiety, depression, and further weight loss.

Learn about some ways to cope. The doctor may ask the person questions to get an idea of their eating habits, weight, and overall mental and physical health. They may order tests to rule out other underlying medical conditions with similar signs and symptoms, such as malabsorption, cancer, and hormonal problems. The National Eating Disorders Association state that the criteria below can help doctors make a diagnosis.

However, they note that not everyone with a serious eating disorder will meet all these criteria. We do not know exactly what causes anorexia and other eating disorders. You may be more likely to get an eating disorder if:. In this video, Katie shares her experiences of life with anorexia and explains how she recovered. Page last reviewed: 15 January Next review due: 15 January Overview - Anorexia.

Information: Coronavirus advice You can get advice and support during the coronavirus outbreak from the eating disorder charity Beat. Beat: eating disorders and coronavirus Beat: helplines, message boards and online support groups A GP or local NHS eating disorder team can also provide help and support. Video: Anorexia — Katie's story In this video, Katie shares her experiences of life with anorexia and explains how she recovered.

Media last reviewed: 14 August Media review due: 14 August