Refer a client, patient, or student for eating disorder support
Primary care providers, therapists, school counselors, educators, athletic staff, and other professionals may be among the first to recognize concerning changes in eating, movement, mood, health, or daily functioning.
You do not need to diagnose an eating disorder before recommending an informed assessment. Early referral can help identify medical risk, nutrition needs, psychological concerns, and the appropriate level of support.
EDAM’s Provider Directory can help you locate therapists, dietitians, medical providers, and treatment programs.
Consider an eating disorder-informed assessment when concerns are affecting health or daily life
A person does not need to appear underweight, identify with a diagnosis, or disclose every behavior before a referral is appropriate.
Food intake has become restricted, chaotic, or distressing
- Skipping meals or prolonged periods without eating
- Rigid food rules or rapid elimination of food groups
- Binge eating or loss-of-control eating
- Purging, laxative use, fasting, or other compensation
- Fear of choking, vomiting, allergy, contamination, or pain
- Limited variety, low interest in eating, or sensory barriers
Weight, shape, or exercise concerns are becoming more rigid
- Intense fear of weight gain or body changes
- Frequent body checking or appearance-related distress
- Compulsive, compensatory, or secretive exercise
- Exercise despite injury, illness, fatigue, or medical advice
- Food or movement decisions driven by guilt and fear
- Participation in life shrinking because of body distress
New symptoms may be related to inadequate nourishment or eating disorder behaviors
- Dizziness, fainting, weakness, fatigue, or feeling cold
- Heart palpitations, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath
- Digestive changes, vomiting, constipation, or abdominal pain
- Menstrual, hormonal, growth, or developmental changes
- Frequent injury, reduced recovery, or declining performance
- Rapid weight change in any direction
Food and body concerns are interfering with daily life
- Social withdrawal or avoiding events involving food
- Reduced concentration, flexibility, or decision-making
- Decline in school, work, sport, or relationships
- Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or secrecy
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to change the pattern alone
- Family or support people expressing significant concern
Eating disorder treatment is often interdisciplinary
Not every person needs every provider. The appropriate team depends on age, medical stability, diagnosis, current symptoms, psychiatric needs, family support, and level of care.
Medical provider
Evaluates physical symptoms, vital signs, laboratory findings, medications, growth, cardiovascular risk, and the need for urgent medical stabilization.
Registered dietitian
Assesses nourishment, eating patterns, nutrition rehabilitation, meal support needs, medical nutrition concerns, sensory needs, and food-related beliefs.
Therapist
Addresses eating disorder symptoms, emotional distress, behavior change, body image, trauma, relationships, motivation, and co-occurring mental health concerns.
Psychiatrist or prescriber
Evaluates psychiatric symptoms and medication needs while coordinating with the medical and eating disorder treatment team.
Family or caregiver support
Helps parents, partners, and support people understand the illness, assist with meals, reduce accommodation of symptoms, and support recovery.
Treatment program
Provides coordinated, higher-intensity care when outpatient appointments do not offer enough structure, monitoring, or symptom interruption.
Some symptoms require immediate evaluation rather than a routine referral
Follow your organization’s emergency procedures and scope of practice. Contact emergency services, a medical provider, crisis support, or an emergency department when immediate safety may be at risk.
Do not use the provider directory for an emergency
If someone is in immediate danger or may hurt themselves, call 911, call or text 988 in the United States, or go to the nearest emergency department.
Identify the type of support needed, then contact providers directly
Directory listings may include provider type, location, telehealth availability, populations served, specialties, insurance information, and treatment approach.
Availability and services can change. Confirm current information with the provider or program before giving a referral as a firm treatment option.
A clear referral can help the receiving provider assess urgency and fit
Share information only with appropriate consent and according to privacy laws, organizational policies, and your professional role.
Clinical and practical information
- Reason for referral and primary concerns
- Current eating disorder behaviors or suspected symptoms
- Recent changes in intake, weight, growth, or functioning
- Relevant medical symptoms, vitals, labs, or diagnoses
- Psychiatric symptoms and immediate safety concerns
- Current medications and healthcare providers
- Previous eating disorder treatment or higher levels of care
- Insurance, location, transportation, and access considerations
Helpful coordination details
- Client or caregiver contact information
- Preferred communication method and accessibility needs
- Legal guardian or caregiver involvement when applicable
- Names and roles of current treatment-team members
- Signed releases for coordination when required
- What support the referring professional will continue providing
- Whether the referral is routine, time-sensitive, or urgent
- Any known barriers that may delay connection with care
Recommend a higher-level assessment when needs exceed the current setting
Intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, inpatient psychiatric, or medical hospital care may be appropriate when symptoms cannot be safely managed through periodic outpatient appointments.
Refer for specialized level-of-care assessment rather than waiting for the situation to become an emergency.
Understand levels of care- Medical or psychiatric risk requires more frequent monitoring
- The person cannot consistently meet nutrition needs without substantial support
- Bingeing, purging, compulsive movement, or other symptoms remain frequent or difficult to interrupt
- Outpatient treatment has not produced sufficient stabilization or progress
- School, work, relationships, or basic daily functioning are significantly impaired
- The home or community environment cannot provide the level of structure currently needed
- The outpatient team recommends a formal higher-level assessment
A person does not need to look critically ill before receiving specialized support
Eating disorder-informed assessment can clarify medical risk, treatment needs, and the most appropriate next step. When concerns are present, a thoughtful referral is better than waiting for certainty.