The Needed Components of a Thorough Assessment of Eating Disorders and Implications for Treatment

The tendency to consider eating disorders as a homogeneous set of illnesses is misleading and frankly incorrect. They comprise a broad set of symptoms that are all include a focus on food, hunger and weight but typically manifest in very different ways.

Broad knowledge of how hunger, fullness, metabolism and weight are maintained by the body and mind is necessary to grapple with the healing process from an eating disorder. However, the treatment recommendations can vary greatly.

In this post I will explain some of the more general ways to differentiate eating disorders and elaborate more in upcoming posts.

Some eating disorder treatment is different based on the concomitant psychiatric diagnoses that need treatment with the eating disorder. The most common ones are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder.

The first key step is to differentiate whether the eating disorder or other disorders are primary and then to prioritize treatment for the eating disorder or other illness treatment accordingly. Sometimes treating the other disorder actually treats the eating disorder as well.

The second necessary step is to consider medical illnesses that might be a part of the eating disorder. These can include general inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disorders and metabolic disorders. Not enough is known about the connection between eating disorders and medical illnesses yet to lead to a clear path to recovery, but these new concepts for treatment are promising. Often searching for more general treatment for these symptoms, even with a clear diagnosis, can be very helpful in treating the eating disorder

Third, it’s important to consider the overall nature of the eating disorder symptoms in planning an approach for recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is extremely helpful for many eating disorders especially when binging is a primary symptom. Focusing on exploring and identifying emotions is often critical for people with more limited understanding of their emotions. For some, slow and steady work on changing eating patterns remains central to treatment for a longer period. The nature of types of therapy needs to match each patient’s needs.

A better understanding of eating disorders changes the formulation and course of treatment for people with eating disorders. Thoughtful consideration of all factors is necessary for any treatment to be effective. A thorough assessment and consultation will increase the chance of long-term benefit of any treatment.