What’s an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are estimated to affect approximately 5% of the Australian population, so it can be good to be clear on when we should start to worry that a focus on health, or losing weight is becoming disordered or meets criteria for an eating disorder.
There can also be a common misconception that eating disorders affect only teenage girls, whereas research tells us that they can affect both men and women, and can be experienced across all the age ranges. Another common misconception is that you can tell whether someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them - ie/ if they’re underweight or over-weight. Whereas in reality it is not uncommon for people’s difficulties to go under the radar with friends, family, and even medical professionals as their weight can be within a normal BMI range.
4 Warning Signs to look out for with Eating Disorders?
If you notice that someone is feeling guilty having eaten something, or that they’re feeling anxious about eating certain foods - this could be a sign that we need to explore their relationship with food, body and weight.
If you notice that someone is exercising a lot, or feeling agitated or anxious if they can’t do their regular exercise session - then this could be a sign that we need to explore their relationship with their body and weight.
If you notice that someone is frequently leaving to go to the bathroom during or immediately after a meal - then this could be a sign that we need to explore their relationship with food, body and weight, and consider whether they are purging.
If you notice food from the fridge or pantry being eaten quicker than you would anticipate would be normal for your family - then this could be a sign to explore their relationship with food, body and weight, and consider whether they are bingeing.
Eating disorders are defined by changes in someone’s behaviour, thoughts and attitudes to food, eating, weight or body shape which interferes and impacts negatively on their life and functioning, and/or causes them significant distress.
There are several different types of eating disorders, and the ones that we would most commonly work with at the practice are:
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is defined by regular restriction of food intake, significant weight loss, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a disturbance in self-perceived weight or shape (most commonly that someone will see their body as being fat or overweight, despite objective signs to the contrary).
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder is defined by regular episodes of binge eating where someone feels a loss of control, and sense of guilt and embarrassment by their eating behaviours.
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is defined by repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory or purging behaviours, with the goal of preventing weight gain. The most common compensatory behaviours are vomiting, using laxatives, food restriction, and/or excessive exercise.
What is Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)?
Other specified feeding or eating disorder is defined by eating disorder symptoms that do not fully meet criteria for another eating disorder diagnosis, but still have a significant impact on someone’s life.
The Inside Out Institute reports some pretty sobering statistics. Of the 1.2 million Australians living with an eating disorder 83 500 people are currently experiencing Anorexia Nervosa, 120 000 are living with Bulimia Nervosa, and 1 million people are experiencing Binge eating disorder.
Sadly the mortality rate for eating disorders is one of, if not the highest for any mental illness. Approximately 450 people die from Anorexia Nervosa every year, and approximately 200 die from Bulimia Nervosa.
Final words
If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing difficulties with their eating, weight or body image, then making contact with your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist and/or dietitian can be helpful. Research suggests that the earlier we can start treatment, the better the chance for recovery, and the better our chance for changing these above statistics.
Better Access for Mental Health initiative
Following much lobbying to the government, on November 1 we will finally see a new Medicare initiative launched that will better assist some people living with an eating disorder. If eligible, it is possible for someone to obtain up to 40 sessions with a psychologist and up to 20 sessions with a dietitian. Watch this space for information regarding eligibility criteria once it becomes available!
