Eating Disorder Treatment Perth
Compassionate understanding of complex relationships with food and body image
An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition involving an unhealthy relationship with food, eating, body image, and weight. These conditions are complex and can affect both physical and psychological health. They are not a choice, and early support significantly improves outcomes.
Understanding Eating Disorders
Common presentations of eating disorders
- Common eating disorders include:
- Anorexia Nervosa – Restrictive eating, intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image, often leading to significantly low body weight.
- Bulimia Nervosa – Cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – Recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control, often followed by distress or guilt.
- Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) – Significant eating disorder symptoms that do not meet full diagnostic criteria for the above conditions.
Research suggests around 1 in 10 Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders can affect people of any age, gender, or background, and often emerge during adolescence or early adulthood.
They are associated with significant medical risk and have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental health condition, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Recognising the symptoms
How Eating Disorders May Present
- Common warning signs include:
- Preoccupation with food, calories, weight, or body shape
- Skipping meals, restrictive eating, or rigid food rules
- Episodes of binge eating or feeling out of control around food
- Frequent weight changes (loss or gain)
- Excessive exercise or distress if unable to exercise
- Social withdrawal, especially around meals or food situations
- Frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
- Mood changes, anxiety, irritability, or low mood
How eating disorders may present:
Children:
- Picky or increasingly restrictive eating
- Anxiety or distress around meals
- Slowed growth or weight changes
- Stomach complaints or fatigue
- Resistance to previously accepted foods
Adolescents:
- Increased focus on body image and comparison
- Skipping meals or hiding food behaviours
- Increased exercise or rigid routines
- Mood changes, withdrawal, irritability
- Early bingeing, purging, or restrictive dieting
Adults:
- Chronic dieting or rigid eating patterns
- Preoccupation with weight or shape
- Episodes of binge eating or compensatory behaviours
- Impact on work, relationships, or social eating
- Cycles of restriction and loss of control eating
Males and Females:
- Females may present more commonly with weight-focused restriction
- Males may focus on muscularity, leanness, or performance-based eating/exercise
- All genders may hide symptoms due to stigma or shame
Treatment and Support
Pathways to support and recovery
Recovery is possible with appropriate support. Treatment often includes a team approach including psychological intervention, nutritional support, and medical monitoring.
Individuals with an eating disorder may be eligible for a Medicare Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan (EDTMP) through their GP. This provides access to a structured team including psychology, dietetics, and medical care.