The earlier the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is made, the better the prognosis. GPs, family members and teachers should be alert to eating disorders, researchers argue in the International Journal of Eating Disorders .
“GPs should not be afraid to discuss eating disorders. We advise GPs to be alert to this, especially because it now appears that it is important to make the diagnosis at an early age," says psychologist-researcher Gabrielle van Son of the Center for Eating Disorders Ursula.
The GPs at the sentinel stations regularly see girls with eating disorders, but it is likely that many patients are still missed – these patients often do not seek help or arrive too late, or they come to the office with other complaints.
The studies found that patients who were diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia nervosa at a younger age were more likely to recover later than patients who were somewhat older at the time of diagnosis. With early diagnosis and treatment, the outlook is apparently better than if the disease has already progressed further.
