Medical criteria exist to diagnose anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
A primary care physician can use these criteria to detect eating disorders. Not all cases fit these criteria and people with disordered eating also can have multiple problems. Significant fluctuations in a patient's weight and unusual physical changes can be signs for the physician. By asking questions and performing a physical examination, a physician can help determine if further evaluation is necessary. Although medications often are used to treat medical problems, medications are not always used in treating eating disorders.