Around half of all people who suffer from one or more of the eating disorders also commonly struggle with anxiety and depression. In order for any of the mental health issues involved to be effectively treated so that the individual can recover all of the disorders must be properly diagnosed and treated. If someone has an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa or bulimia, and this is diagnosed and treated but other underlying disorders like anxiety or depression are not addressed, then the chances are the individual will eventually end up right back where they started. In order to fully recover every mental disorder and condition must be diagnosed, addressed, and treated. Since approximately 1 in 2 people with an eating disorder will also have a co-occurring disorder it is extremely important to have a dual diagnosis in these cases.
Unless the eating disorders, and any other conditions like anxiety or depression, are all properly identified, diagnosed, and then treated at the same time the results will not be as effective as they could be. Research has shown that those with an eating disorder and another condition like anxiety or depression have a much more difficult road to recovery, but that does not mean that this is impossible. If you or someone you know has one of the eating disorders then it is essential to seek out qualified treatment professionals and facilities that can handle these disorders and any other conditions that may be involved. Treating one condition without treating any other conditions involved will not work long term.