Disordered Eating. 

Eating Disorders (ED's) are serious, complex and potentially life-threatening mental illnesses. They are  characterised by disturbances in behaviours, thoughts and feelings towards body weight and shape, and/or food and eating. At the core of most ED's is the need for control, low self-worth, extreme perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive traits. 
ED's are not a 'choice' nor are they a 'diet gone wrong.'  ED's have detrimental impacts upon a person’s life and result in serious medical, psychiatric and psychosocial consequences.
The most commonly known ED's include: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), PICA, Avoidant and/or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Rumination Disorder and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).  Click here for diagnostics. 

ED's are more common than you think and are increasing in prevalence across both sexes.
Approximately one million Australians are living with an ED in any given year; that is, 4% of the population. Of people with an ED, 3% have AN, 12% BN, 47% BED and 38% OSFED (NEDC, 2024). 

OSFED includes problematic eating patterns and behaviours that mimic common ED symptomology but do not meet the full criteria for an ED as dictated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed (DSM-5). 
The most common representation of OSFED referred to DHP is atypical anorexia nervosa. This is where the individual meets the full criteria for AN  however their weight is considered within or above 'normal' range, despite significant weight loss. 
Atypical anorexia nervosa is more prevalent than it's better known counterpart, AN, yet tends to get the least amount of attention. Emerging research comparing the impact of AN to atypical anorexia nervosa have found no significant differences between the two. That is, despite being within or above 'normal weight range' those with atypical anorexia nervosa experience the same psychological, social and physical complications as their underweight counterparts. 

ED literature explains that when long-term calorie restriction persists, our brain enters 'adaptive thermogenesis' -often (and misleadingly) referred to as 'starvation syndrome.' This primal and protective response is employed to preserve energy and sustain basic organ functioning. It is within the state of starvation, that complications begin to emerge, irrespective of body weight and shape. This can include: dizziness, fatigue, slowed metabolism, hair loss, sleep disturbances, altered thyroid function, brittle nails, muscle loss, bone density decline, clumsiness, concentration and memory decline, withdrawal, irritability, anxiety and depression, headaches, dehydration, body aches, menstrual cycle irregularities in women, testosterone decreases in males, obsession with food, bowel and digestive changes (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and/or gas), and feeling cold all the time often resulting in lanugo hair growth for insulation. These symptoms are often present across different weight and BMI's. If the individual has been intentionally starving themselves over a period of time, significant impairments in their functioning will be evident across most, if not all, areas of life.

The mortality rate for people with EDs is up to six times higher than that for people without ED's. Increased risk of premature death exists for all types of ED's, however those with AN are up to 31 times more likely to take their own lives and those with BN are 7.5 times more likely. AN holds the highest mortality rate across all psychiatric conditions primarily due to both the psychological and physiological complications that persist. 

ED's do not discriminate and can occur in people of any age, weight, size, body shape, gender identity, sexuality, cultural background and socioeconomic group. The impact of an ED is not only felt by the individual, but often by that person’s entire family and circle of support.

If you or someone you know has an unhealthy relationship with food and/or body image, please speak with your GP. Don't wait to take control back, act now. 

DHP can asses individuals for disordered eating and associated disorders.
DHP accepts Eating Disorder Care Plans (ECP) under Medicare. Find out more about the ECP process here.
DHP psychologists are credentialed in the provision of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E); one of the preferred evidenced based and out-patient treatment modality (level 1) as per the Australian Psychological Society's treatment guidelines.

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