The Importance Of Early Detection In Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious illnesses that often result in physical, mental, and emotional consequences. Whether the signs of an eating disorder go unnoticed or are less recognized, the disorder can significantly interfere with the quality of someone’s life. However, early identification and treatment of eating disorders, and having a solid support system throughout treatment can help improve recovery speed, significantly reduce symptoms, and decrease the likelihood of a relapse.
By: Ekin Kiyici
Significance of Early Intervention
With the highest mortality rate of mental health illnesses, eating disorders can lead to several physical health complications. These can be prevented and significantly reduced with the proper care at the appropriate time. Eating disorders are the third most chronic illness among adolescents, and they can become more treatment-resistant the longer it goes untreated. Young women struggling with eating disorders have a mortality rate that is 12 times higher than average for that age group and gender. Often, it is challenging to understand the severity and gravity of this illness. Thus, it is essential to implement screenings and psychoeducation at the right time in an individual’s life to prevent long-term complications. The average age of onset is 18-24, making settings such as pediatric care, primary care, high schools, and colleges very critical places to implement effective interventions and screening tools.²
In a study conducted in 1997, researchers had a sample of patients who were less than 18 years old at onset. Patients who were diagnosed with anorexia for less than three years were a part of the “early intervention” group, those who were diagnosed for more than three years were part of the “late intervention” group, and those with an onset after the age of 18 were part of the “late-onset” group. In comparing outcomes for the two groups across either family therapy or individual treatment, 60% of the early intervention group had “good” outcomes at their 5-year follow-up, whereas only 30% of the late intervention group at their 5-year follow-up. Their results also suggest a family-based intervention early on in their disorder predicts greater long-term outcomes.¹ Research has shown that adolescents with anorexia who engage in a family-based treatment for their eating disorder within the first three years of onset have a greater likelihood of recovery.
Early Detection in Primary Care Settings
Research shows that patients with eating disorders reached out to their primary care physicians at a higher frequency five years before their eating disorder diagnosis. These frequent visits could signal physicians to inquire further about certain eating disorders’ behavioral and physical symptoms. Physical symptoms that could indicate the onset of an eating disorder include menstrual irregularities, hair loss, chronic fatigue, dental issues, persistent sore throat, abdominal pain, significant weight loss, preoccupation with body shape or size, and more.³,⁴
Early Detection in School Settings
Often, reaching out for help with an eating disorder is extremely difficult and requires a significant amount of vulnerability and trust. School-based identification techniques are a promising way to detect the risk of developing an eating disorder in children and young adults. One way to improve identification is by providing training programs for educational professionals and improved policies regarding eating disorder care in schools.
It is imperative to reach out for help to learn more about potential eating disorders and treatment options. Providing psychoeducation about the signs and symptoms of eating disorders, unhealthy eating habits, and the promotion of body positivity to children and young adults could also offer great prevention.⁵ No matter what someone may experience, early intervention of eating disorders is linked with positive outcomes for recovery. Eating disorders may present themselves in their own ways for people at different stages of life. Although recovery is a process that takes time, with early detection and the proper treatment, a full recovery is possible.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. In addition to our full-time Day Treatment Program and Weeknight Intensive Outpatient Program, we offer high-quality programming, nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support, and various other groups and resources to help those seeking help for food concerns.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Intake Coordinator, Ekin Kiyici (she/her).
Ekin Kiyici is an Admissions Assistant at BALANCE eating disorder treatment center. She graduated in 2020 from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology. During her undergraduate career, she coordinated four studies as a research assistant for both the Anxiety and Depression Research Center and the Mind-Body lab. She is also currently a writer for a mental health and wellness platform, The Human Condition. Ekin is very passionate and dedicated to aiding in the treatment of eating disorders and wants to better understand the variables that span across eating, anxiety, and mood disorders. She plans to pursue a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology with the hopes of providing accessible treatment to eating disorder and anxiety populations as a clinical psychologist.
References
Currin, L., & Schmidt, U. (2005). A critical analysis of the utility of an early intervention approach in the eating disorders. Journal of Mental Health, 14(6), 611–624. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638230500347939
Nina, K., France, H., Anne-Claire, S., Caroline, H., & Nathalie, G. (2021). Early detection of eating disorders: a scoping review. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01164-x
Rowe E. (2017). Early detection of eating disorders in general practice. Australian family physician, 46(11), 833–838.
Pritts, S. D., & Susman, J. (2003). Diagnosis of eating disorders in primary care. American family physician, 67(2), 297–304.
Rocco, P. L., Ciano, R. P., & Balestrieri, M. (2001). Psychoeducation in the prevention of eating disorders: An experimental approach in adolescent schoolgirls. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 74(3), 351–358. https://doi.org/10.1348/000711201161028