Clinically reviewed by Bülent Ada, BSc.(Psychol.)(Hons.), MAPS · Updated October 2025

Eating disorders are among the most serious and most misunderstood mental health conditions. They carry one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder — higher than depression, higher than schizophrenia — and yet they are routinely dismissed as a phase, a diet gone wrong, or a problem only affecting young women.

In Australia, around one million people are living with an eating disorder at any given time. The majority are not receiving treatment.

This article aims to change that — by explaining what eating disorders actually are, who they affect, and how to access effective support in Australia.

What Eating Disorders Are (And Are Not)

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by persistent disturbances in eating behaviour, body image, and the thoughts and feelings surrounding food, weight, and shape.

They are not a lifestyle choice. They are not about vanity. And they are not exclusively experienced by thin, young, white women — though that stereotype has caused enormous harm by preventing many people from recognising their own struggle or being taken seriously when they do.

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, all ages, all body sizes, and all cultural backgrounds. In Australia, recent research suggests that men account for approximately one-third of all eating disorder cases — a figure that has likely been underestimated for years due to diagnostic bias.

Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterised by significantly restricted food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body weight or shape. People with anorexia typically weigh significantly less than would be considered healthy for their height and age — but body weight alone does not determine the severity or the diagnosis.

Key warning signs:

• Severe restriction of food intake, food rules, or rituals around eating
• Intense preoccupation with food, weight, calories, and body shape
• Distorted body image (seeing oneself as larger than one is)
• Significant weight loss or failure to maintain appropriate weight for age/development
• Physical signs: feeling cold, fatigue, hair loss, loss of menstruation, fainting
• Social withdrawal, particularly around mealtimes

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent cycles of binge eating (eating an abnormally large amount of food in a discrete period, accompanied by a sense of loss of control) followed by compensatory behaviours — most commonly purging (vomiting), but also laxative use, excessive exercise, or fasting.

Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia are often in the normal weight range, which means the condition can be invisible to others for years.

Key warning signs:

• Disappearing to the bathroom regularly after meals
• Evidence of food hoarding, or large quantities of food disappearing quickly
• Dental erosion, swollen cheeks (parotid gland enlargement from purging)
• Calluses or marks on knuckles (from induced vomiting)
• Feelings of shame, secrecy, and loss of control around eating
• Fluctuating self-esteem tightly linked to eating behaviour and body weight

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in Australia. It involves recurrent episodes of binge eating — without the compensatory behaviours seen in bulimia. People with BED often experience significant distress about their eating, and many feel profound shame, which can prevent them from seeking help.

BED frequently co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It is not a failure of willpower.

Key warning signs:

• Eating unusually large amounts of food in a short period
• Eating when not physically hungry, or to the point of discomfort
• Eating alone due to embarrassment
• Feeling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty after binge episodes
• Marked distress about eating behaviour

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

ARFID is a relatively newly recognised eating disorder characterised by very selective eating or avoidance of food — not driven by concerns about weight or body image, but by sensory sensitivity, fear of choking or vomiting, or extreme lack of interest in eating.

ARFID is more common in children but affects adults too, and is frequently associated with autism, anxiety, and ADHD. It can lead to significant nutritional deficiency and social impairment.

Orthorexia

While not yet a formal DSM-5-TR diagnosis, orthorexia describes an obsessive preoccupation with eating “pure” or “healthy” foods, to the point where it significantly impairs quality of life, social functioning, and physical health. It is increasingly recognised by clinicians as a distinct presentation requiring treatment.

Who Gets Eating Disorders?

Anyone can develop an eating disorder. The research points to a combination of genetic vulnerability, psychological factors (perfectionism, low self-worth, trauma history), and environmental triggers (diet culture, social media, bullying, life transitions).

Some populations face heightened risk:

• Adolescent girls and young women — though this demographic is over-represented partly due to diagnostic bias
• Men and boys — often undiagnosed because clinicians and the individuals themselves don’t recognise the presentation
• LGBTQ+ people — research consistently shows elevated rates of eating disorders in this group
• Athletes — particularly in weight-category or aesthetic sports (gymnastics, rowing, swimming, wrestling)
• People with a history of trauma or adverse childhood experiences
• People in larger bodies — often dismissed or praised for weight loss even when it reflects disordered eating

Getting Help in Australia

See a GP first

A GP is the best starting point. They can conduct a physical health assessment (eating disorders can cause serious medical complications), refer to appropriate specialists, and open a Mental Health Care Plan for Medicare-rebated psychological support.

Be honest. Eating disorders are associated with significant shame and secrecy. The more accurate the information your GP has, the better they can help.

Psychological treatment

Evidence-based psychological treatments for eating disorders include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) — the most extensively researched psychological treatment for bulimia and BED, and increasingly used for anorexia
• Family-Based Treatment (FBT / Maudsley Approach) — particularly effective for adolescents with anorexia
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) — helpful where emotional dysregulation and binge-purge cycles are central
• EMDR and trauma-focused therapies — important where eating disorder is linked to trauma history

When inpatient or day programme treatment is needed

Some people require a higher level of care than outpatient therapy can provide — particularly where there is significant medical compromise, or where the eating disorder has not responded to outpatient treatment. Australia has a number of specialised eating disorder programmes in both public and private settings.

Your GP or psychologist can help determine the appropriate level of care and make the necessary referrals.

Support Resources

• Butterfly Foundation — 1800 33 4673 | butterfly.org.au (Australia’s national eating disorder support organisation; helpline, online chat, and treatment directory)
• The Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) — edfa.org.au (support for families)
• Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you care about, please reach out. Eating disorders are treatable. Early intervention makes a significant difference to recovery outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of eating disorders?

The main recognised types are anorexia nervosa (restriction and intense fear of weight gain), bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours), binge eating disorder (recurrent binges without compensation, the most common in Australia), and ARFID (avoidant or restrictive intake driven by sensory or other factors, not body image). Orthorexia, an obsession with “pure” eating, is increasingly recognised clinically.

Can you have an eating disorder at a normal weight?

Yes. Body weight alone does not determine whether someone has an eating disorder. People with bulimia or binge eating disorder are often in the normal or larger weight range, which can mean the condition goes unnoticed for years. People in larger bodies are sometimes even praised for weight loss that actually reflects disordered eating.

Do eating disorders only affect young women?

No, and that stereotype causes real harm by preventing people from recognising their struggle or being taken seriously. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, body sizes and cultural backgrounds. In Australia, men account for around a third of cases, often undiagnosed. LGBTQ+ people, athletes and those with a trauma history also face heightened risk.

What treatments work for eating disorders?

Evidence-based options include CBT for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) for bulimia and binge eating disorder, Family-Based Treatment for adolescents with anorexia, DBT where emotional dysregulation is central, and trauma-focused therapies where there is a trauma history. Some people need higher-level day program or inpatient care. A GP can assess physical health and coordinate the right level of support.

How do I get help for an eating disorder in Australia?

A GP is the best starting point. They can check physical health, as eating disorders cause serious medical complications, refer you to appropriate specialists, and open a Mental Health Care Plan for rebated psychological support. Being honest with your GP helps them help you. The Butterfly Foundation also offers a national helpline and treatment directory.

Related reading

• How DBT helps emotional dysregulation
• Our fees and Mental Health Care Plans
• Contact our team

About the author: Bülent Ada is the Principal Psychologist and Founding Director of Mind Health Associates in Parramatta, Sydney. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Bülent works with individuals experiencing a range of mental health conditions including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Learn more about Bülent.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice. If you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, please seek support from a qualified health professional as soon as possible.

Ready to take the next step? Mind Health Associates offers evidence-based psychological support in Parramatta and via telehealth across Australia. Contact us to speak with our team about how we can help.