People who have an eating disorder may eat too little or too much food.They may also be preoccupied with their shape or weight.

There are four main types of eating disorders:
1. Anorexia nervosa: People with this condition don’t eat enough. And they may have an extremely thin appearance.
2. Bulimia nervosa: People with this condition overeat and then purge to avoid gaining weight. They may also abuse laxatives and diet pills.
3. Binge eating: People with this condition eat uncontrollably and don’t purge.
4. Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED): This condition was originally called “eating disorders not otherwise specified” (EDNOS).

The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. But several factors can contribute to the disease.Eating disorders may begin in the teen and young adult years.These are ages when many people are focused on their self-image.The illness can also run in families.Some emotional disorders,like obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, increase the risk for an eating disorder.

Eating disorders can have serious,life-threatening complications.So,it’s important to get help for these conditions.But before a doctor can treat an eating disorder,they have to diagnose the condition. Some people may deny a problem. But certain symptoms can show that someone may have an issue with food.

Doctors use physical and psychological evaluations to diagnose eating disorders.
➖Physical evaluations
# Physical exam
During a physical exam, your doctor will check your height, weight, and vital signs. Your doctor will also listen to your lungs and heart, since eating disorders can cause:
▪️high or low blood pressure
▪️slow breathing
▪️slow pulse rates
# Laboratory tests
Eating disorders can damage the body and cause problems with vital organs. So, doctors may run lab tests, including:
▪️a complete blood count
▪️liver, kidney, and thyroid function tests
▪️urinalysis

➖Psychological evaluations.
A psychological evaluation by a mental health doctor is also required.They ask you questions about your eating habits.The goal is to understand your attitude toward food and eating.The doctor also needs to get an idea of how you perceive your body.The questions can be personal, especially when talking about dieting,binging,purging,or extreme exercise habits.