Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
Eating disorders and body image
If someone you know seems unusually preoccupied with food and their weight, has strange eating rituals or sneaks off to the bathroom straight after meals, they might be dealing with an eating disorder.
There are many different types of eating disorders from mild through to severe cases that can have dramatic health consequences and even result in death. Treatment is available to help people with disordered eating to develop a healthy attitude towards food and in turn lead healthier lives.
While many people have heard of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, there are several other eating disorders that often come under the name 'other specified feeding and eating disorders' (OSFED). These generally refer to people who might have many of the symptoms of one or more types of eating disorder, but who don't meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of any single disorder.
Head to Health, an online gateway funded by the Australian Government that can help you find free and low-cost, trusted phone and online mental health resources, including information about eating disorders. Or find out more below.
Eating disorders - overview
An unhealthy relationship with food and eating may indicate an eating disorder, a potentially serious mental health condition.
Anorexia nervosa
People with anorexia nervosa have an irrational fear of gaining weight and put themselves on restrictive diets and harsh, punishing exercise routines.
Binge-eating disorder (BED)
Binge-eating disorder (BED) often involves someone eating large amounts of food even after they feel full. Discover more about BED here.
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder causes someone to feel shame or disgust with part of their body or appearance. Any body part can become its focus.
Body image
Having an unhealthy body image is bad for general wellbeing and is also incredibly time consuming. Here are a few tips for improving your body image.
Bulimia nervosa
It's not unusual to be concerned about body image or diet, but using extreme weight loss methods can lead to eating disorders, like bulimia nervosa.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are a mental illness. The most common types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other binge eating disorders. They can affect women and men of all age groups, from a range of backgrounds and cultures. Many people might be living with these disorders without being diagnosed.
Read more on WA Health website
Eating Disorders in Australia
Eating disorders and disordered eating together are estimated to affect over 16% of the Australian population
Read more on NEDC - National Eating Disorders Collaboration website
Binge eating disorder
Unlike those with bulimia nervosa, a person with binge eating disorder will not use compensatory behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or over-exercising after binge eating
Read more on NEDC - National Eating Disorders Collaboration website
Eating disorders and males - Eating Disorders Victoria
Research indicates that up to 25% of people experiencing an eating disorder are male
Read more on Eating Disorders Victoria website
Binge eating disorder - Eating Disorders Victoria
Binges represent a distraction that allows a person to avoid thinking about the real root of their problems
Read more on Eating Disorders Victoria website
Other eating disorders - Eating Disorders Victoria
According to the DSM-5 criteria, to be diagnosed as having OSFED, a person must present with symptoms similar to other eating disorders but not meet the full criteria of, for example, anorexia or bulimia
Read more on Eating Disorders Victoria website
Living with someone with an eating disorder - Eating Disorders Victoria
Its often difficult to know what to do when you live with someone with an eating disorder
Read more on Eating Disorders Victoria website
Eating disorders explained - Eating Disorders Victoria
Below are lists of behavioural, physical and psychological signs or changes that often accompany an eating disorder
Read more on Eating Disorders Victoria website
Binge Eating Disorder | The Butterfly Foundation
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Read more on Butterfly Foundation website
What is binge eating disorder? | Eating disorders | ReachOut Australia
There are signs that indicate someone might have binge eating disorder, as well as a number of ways to get help.
Read more on ReachOut.com website
Top results
Nip it in the bud
Intervening early for young people with eating disorders
Read more on Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health website
Psychological treatments for people with bulimia nervosa and binging | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is a small body of evidence for the efficacy of CBT in bulimia nervosa and similar syndromes, but the quality of trials is very variable and sample sizes are often small
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Prescribing and borderline personality disorder | Issue 2 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
The first-line management for borderline personality disorder is psychosocial treatment, not drugs.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Social Phobia
Social phobia, the fear of being judged negatively, is often not recognised because patients do not like to talk about their fears. It is also not recognized because clinicians either confuse it with shyness, or judge the secondary depression or substance dependence to be the primary disorder.
Read more on CRUfAD – Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression website
Globesity Prevention: Eating Mindfully
Document and learn online with Ausmed's online portfolio and organiser app. All countries and health professions supported. Free to document, subscribe to learn.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Puerperal (postpartum) psychosis - A guide for primary care health professionals
Puerperal psychosis (also referred to as postpartum or postnatal psychosis) is a very serious but rare mental health condition that affects 1 or 2 in every 1,000 mothers in the first few weeks after the birth of their babies. Recognising symptoms is essential as the mother is at serious risk of self-harm and there is risk of potential harm for the baby and/or other children.
Read more on beyondblue website
Berries: Bursting with Benefits Especially for Metabolic Syndrome
Document and learn online with Ausmed's online portfolio and organiser app. All countries and health professions supported. Free to document, subscribe to learn.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Definition of complex trauma versus single incident
Interpersonal multiple unresolved traumas (complex trauma) are common & often have severe, diverse & persistent impacts, compared to single incident PTSD.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Depression
Depression is a mood state that is characterised by significantly lowered mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that are normally enjoyable. Such depressed mood is a common and normal experience in the population. However, a major depressive episode can be distinguished from this `normal’ depression by its severity, persistence, duration, and the presence of characteristic symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbances).
Read more on CRUfAD – Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression website
Dialectical behaviour & narrative therapy, psychotherapy
Outlines the use of Dialectical Behaviour therapy, narrative therapy and psychotherapy for working with adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
