What are Eating disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that also impact your physical health. They’re not just extreme dieting or a lifestyle choice, but involve a harmful preoccupation with food, weight, body shape or exercise that disrupts everyday life. In Australia, over a million people struggle with an eating disorder, yet fewer than 25 % receive proper treatment or support. Without help, these conditions can become life-threatening, but with the right therapies and encouragement, recovery is within reach.
Types of Eating disorders2,3
Binge eating disorder (BED)
Nearly half of all diagnosed cases are BED, where individuals consume large amounts of food in a short time, even when not hungry, and often restrict or fast afterward without purging.
Bulimia nervosa (bulimia)
Characterized by cycles of bingeing followed by attempts to “undo” the intake through vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise or diet pills. Bulimia accounts for about 12 % of eating disorders in Australia.
Anorexia nervosa (anorexia)
Marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to severe food restriction, refusal to eat or compulsive over-exercise, often resulting in dangerously low body weight.
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)
When a person shows disordered eating behaviors that don’t fit other categories, they may be diagnosed with OSFED. Around 30 % of those seeking treatment fall into this group.
Signs of an Eating disorders4,5
Physical signs
Physical signs include
- Rapid or significant weight changes
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Dizziness, faintness or chronic fatigue
- Sensitivity to cold
- Damaged tooth enamel from repeated vomiting
Behavioral signs
Behavioral signs include
- Eating in secret or skipping meals
- Rigid food rules or extremely limited diets
- Frequent bingeing
- Obsessive calorie-counting or portion measuring
- Using the toilet immediately after eating to purge
- Excessive exercise or misuse of diet pills/laxatives
- Constant mirror-checking and criticism of appearance
- Avoiding social gatherings, especially those involving food
- Wearing loose clothing to hide body changes
Emotional signs
Emotional signs include
- Heightened self-consciousness about appearance
- Distorted self-image
- Feelings of guilt, shame or anxiety surrounding food
- Sense of loss of control when eating
- Persistent fear of weight gain
- Using food for comfort or punishment
- Anxiety if unable to exercise
Recognizing these indicators early and seeking professional guidance can be the first step toward healing and regaining a healthy relationship with food and body image.
What triggers Eating disorders?
Eating disorders can affect individuals of every body type, emerging from a combination of diverse influences. Researchers have grouped the key risk factors as follows:
Biological & genetic influences
Eating disorders can be triggered by
- A family history of eating disorders
- Being overweight in childhood
- Early onset of menstruation (before age 12)
Psychological & behavioural aspects
Eating disorders can be triggered by
- Repeated dieting
- Low self-esteem
- Dissatisfaction with one’s body
- Perfectionistic traits
- Neurodiversity
- Past trauma or abuse
Sociocultural pressures
Eating disorders can be triggered by
- Strained relationships
- Excessive external expectations
- Bullying
- Exposure to unrealistic media ideals
Certain groups face a higher likelihood of developing an eating disorder: females, children and adolescents, and gender- or sexually-diverse individuals.
How are Eating disorders identified?
There’s no single definitive test. Diagnosis relies on a medical evaluation, often including a physical exam with blood and urine tests, paired with a psychological assessment. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire about your eating behaviours, attitudes and feelings toward food.
Treatment approaches for Eating disorders
Because each condition presents differently, care plans are tailored to the individual. A multidisciplinary team, often including a doctor, psychologist and dietitian, typically oversees treatment. Options may include:
- Psychological therapies, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Family-based interventions, which educate and involve loved ones
- Nutrition education to restore healthy eating patterns
- Medications, when clinically indicated
In some cases, inpatient care may be required. There are also a variety of online programs, see the Australian Government’s Head to Health website for more information.
Potential complications
Eating disorders can cause serious harm, from malnutrition and impaired growth to…
- Depression and anxiety
- Strained social or familial relationships
- Difficulties at school or work
- Substance use disorders
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviours
If left untreated, severe cases can become life-threatening.
When to seek medical help
Early intervention is vital: getting support promptly reduces the severity, duration and long-term impact of an eating disorder. If you recognise any warning signs, make an appointment with your doctor.
How to support someone with an Eating disorder
If you’re concerned about someone, you can help by:
- Learning about eating disorders before starting the conversation
- Choosing a private, quiet moment for a one-on-one talk
- Explaining your worries without mentioning weight or food, focus on their overall well-being
- Being prepared for defensive or emotional reactions
- Reassuring them of your non-judgmental support
- Encouraging them to seek professional assessment and treatment
Support services
- Butterfly: <https://butterfly.org.au/>
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration: <https://nedc.com.au/>
- Eating Disorders Victoria: <https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/>
- Beyond Blue: <https://beyondblue.org.au>
- Headspace: <https://headspace.org.au>
- ReachOut Australia: <https://au.reachout.com>
- SANE Australia: <https://sane.org>