The University of Sydney has found a new approach for diagnosing anorexia patients and it could have significant influence on recovery and treatment options. The approach may also reduce the strain on the public health system, according to a recent online article.
The Center for Eating and Dieting Disorders at the University of Sydney is advocating a move to diagnose the disorder by the severity of its stages, much like methods used for cancer diagnoses. Stephen Touyz, a professor there, says currently the disease can only be diagnosed if the patient suffers severely from anorexia nervosa. Touyz adds that the person is usually extremely ill by the time they develop anorexia and that others around you are already aware you have the disease. Anorexia nervosa is serious and up to 20 percent of those diagnosed could potentially die.
Professor Touyz proposes a system of phases that would introduce a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa with stage one being those who clearly suffer from it but have yet to meet official criteria for diagnosis. The reason for an early diagnosis is especially important due to the lack of treatment options hospitals provide for those suffering from anorexia. Adolescents with these disorders are covered well by public hospital systems but unfortunately there are few options for those who are adults. Adults have few places for treatment without private health insurance and there are few hospital beds available. Touyz says if you discover the problem early on, you can receive the proper treatment or even have better chances to overcome it and avoid being hospitalized.
Touyz believes the staging model would only improve the public’s awareness of anorexia and help people to have a better understanding of the disorder.