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Learn more about the results we get at Within
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Struggling with an undiagnosed eating disorder is often a difficult thing to talk about. Even if you're already in therapy for related issues, it can feel challenging to bring up concerns you may have about your body, weight, food, or eating disorder behaviors in order to get a diagnosis. But thankfully, therapists can be a great ally and integral part of your support system.
Yes, a therapist can diagnose an eating disorder. Most mental health professionals do have the ability to diagnose eating disorders, or at least get the process started. Overall, an eating disorder diagnosis usually involves a mental health screening, which can be conducted by your therapist, and a physical evaluation, which is generally conducted by your primary care physician or other medical expert like a nurse practitioner.1
Your mental health therapist will likely ask you some questions about thoughts or behaviors you may be experiencing, the frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms, and about your medical and psychological history, to help them round out their analysis.
Once you tell your therapist about your concerns or experiences, they might pursue this information further, to make an eating disorder diagnosis. Having the condition officially noted is usually the first step toward securing the specific treatment—and health insurance coverage for it—that can help you overcome these unpleasant and unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Remote therapy can help you recover from your eating disorder
Mental health sessions are designed to be open, safe, and non-judgemental environments, for the exact reason of helping patients feel comfortable sharing any concerns they may be experiencing.
Like physical health doctors, mental health therapists are bound to a number of laws and ethical standards, ensuring patients a measure of safety, security, and privacy in their sessions. Information shared during these sessions is considered privileged, with policies like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) dictating what information can be shared outside a session and when and how therapists can discuss it.2
If your therapist decides to pursue an eating disorder diagnosis, for example, they would have to follow these policies and obtain your permission (or the permission of your legal guardian) before sharing any information with your primary care physician.
Aside from the laws, there is a professional code therapists abide by. Among other vows, these principles implore therapists to see and respect their patients as a whole person, with their own unique histories, personalities, and perspectives; understand that their patients are genuinely seeking help; and to offer them that help and advice to the best of their abilities.3
All told, these laws and principles should help you feel protected in what you share with your therapist, and feel safe in knowing that the mental health professional you're speaking with is dedicated to helping you, regardless of what you share with them.
Speaking honestly about your eating disorder out loud—and especially to another person—may feel scary, but try to remember that it is a crucial part of healing.
If you're feeling concerned about the direction of your health or eating behaviors, you're already being honest enough with yourself to get past the point of denial. Extending that same honesty to your therapy sessions is the best way to move on to the next step of finding help.
Working with a therapist to address any shame associated with your eating or body image, or to unpack self-critical beliefs around disordered eating behaviors, has been shown to greatly help in the recovery process.4 You can work with your therapist to build or rebuild your self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-love.
There are many different types of therapy that can help you diagnose, and treat eating disorder behaviors. You may find a particular type of therapy works best for your needs, and feels like the safest place for you to start speaking openly about your eating disorder.
Some of the most popular types of therapy for help with eating disorders include:5,6,7,8
You can choose to participate in multiple types of therapy, as a combination of the types of therapy listed above may prove the most beneficial to your healing. It’s important to remember that everyone’s pathway to recovery from an eating disorder is different, and that you only need to focus on what works best for you.
At Within, our team works with you to make sure your specific needs are met through a personalized treatment program. Call us to get help today.
How to find an eating disorder therapist
All mental health professionals are bound to the ethical principles laid out by their governing body. For example, psychiatrists are bound by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and, when diagnosing an eating disorder, will follow the impartial diagnostic criteria put forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).9,10
But finding someone who you connect with and trust outside of these professional guarantees is an essential part to finding the best therapist for you—and one you'd feel comfortable opening up to about your eating disorder.
If you have the ability to weigh out your options, you should keep these considerations in mind when choosing an eating disorder therapist.
Treatment approach
One of the most important factors to consider is the therapist's approach to treatment. Different therapists may have different treatment philosophies and methods, so it's good to find one that utilizes evidence-based treatments and aligns with your personal needs and goals.
Many therapists or hospital programs also utilize trauma-informed care. This set of principles and policies is meant to help patients with a background of trauma feel safer and more comfortable and secure in their sessions.11
Sensitivity to identity and background
Aside from treatment approach, many people feel strongly about certain aspects of their identity, including their gender identity and sexuality, cultural background, neurotype, race and ethnicity, body size, or other features about themselves.
Finding a therapist that understands and respects these factors can make a big difference toward building an overall sense of trust and connection. Some patients even prefer being treated by a therapist with the same identifying factors or background.
Accessibility
Accessibility could look like finding a mental health professional who is located nearby or it could mean finding a therapist who offers virtual care programs, like the programs offered at Within. Finding a therapist who can offer regular appointments that fit into your schedule can also make it easier to commit to therapy and stay on track with your recovery.
Virtual programs make eating disorder treatment more accessible than ever. Call us today to get help wherever you are.
Recovery from an eating disorder is a team effort. It is therefore often advised that you work with a medical doctor and a dietician, in addition to your mental health therapist. You will want to make sure that your therapist is willing to work collaboratively with you and your support team. At Within, our team of dieticians, nurses, and psychotherapists all work together with you to achieve your treatment goals.
Don’t give up—you’re worth it
Telling a therapist about your eating disorder can feel intimidating, but it's one of the most important steps you can make in getting support for your eating disorder.
At Within, we strive to help people connect with the right kind of help for their needs, and our results reflect our successful methods. Our team of multidisciplinary experts can help patients dealing with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders get the help they need. Our team works with you to create individualized eating disorder treatment plans catered to a patient's specific background and concerns.
But, regardless of where you look for help, the most important part is making the decision to do so. It's often not a quick or easy process—and neither is recovery—but it's one that can set you on the road toward healing, and living your best life.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
Resources
Eating disorders. (2023, March 28). Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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