Student Information

Students from secondary school, TAFE. college and University frequently request information in order to complete assignments. Unfortunately we are unable to respond to individual requests.

We have put together this set of questions to assist students seeking information on eating disorders. Many answers to questions in school assignments can be found on our website.

1. What is Anorexia?

Anorexia is a psychological disorder. It is a type of eating disorder where a person restricts the type and/or the amount of good they eat. This usually results in severe weight loss and malnutrition.
A person is determined to have anorexia by a doctor if they follow the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders as shown in the DSM-IV

  1. They refuse to maintain a body weight at or above the minimal normal weight for their age and height. (where their body weight is less than 85% of that expected due to weight loss or they did not make the expected weight gain during a period of growth).
  2. They have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even if they are underweight.
  3. They have a disturbance in the way they experience their body weight or shape (self evaluation is excessively influenced by body weight or shape, or they deny the seriousness of their current low body weight)
  4. In females, they have an absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles This is known as amenorrhea.

2. What is Bulimia?

Bulimia is a psychological disorder. It is a type of eating disorder where the sufferer is caught in a dieting cycle, usually composed of firstly restricting food intake, and they bingeing (uncontrollable over eating), and then, to compensate for over eating, going through a stage of purging (an activity to avoid weight gain such as the use of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting or excessive exercise). People with bulimia may experience weight fluctuation around their normal weight. There is often no visible impact on body impact with those with bulimia.

A person is diagnosed with bulimia by a doctor if they follow the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders as shown in the DSM-IV

  1. They experience recurrent episodes or binge eating. Binge eating is characterized by the person eating within a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time, under similar circumstances, and they feel a sense of lack of control over their eating during the episodes.
  2. They practice recurrent inappropriate methods of compensating for their binge eating to prevent weight gain.
  3. The binge eating and purging behaviours occur on average at least twice a week for three months.
  4. Self evaluation is excessively influenced by body weight or shape.
  5. The disturbance does not occur only during episodes of Anorexia.

3. What is EDNOS?

EDNOS stands for Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. It is the category for eating disorders which do not fit into any specific category. Some examples can include:

  1. In females, all the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met, but the person has regular menses.
  2. All criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met, but the person is still in the normal weight range.
  3. All the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa are met, but the binge eating and purging occur less than twice a week, or has been occurring for less than three months.
  4. An individual of normal weight regularly uses inappropriate compensating methods after eating small amounts of food.
  5. An individual repeatedly chews, then spits out large amounts of good, without swallowing.
  6. Binge Eating Disorder: recurrent episodes of binge eating, but not using inappropriate compensatory behaviours that are a feature of Bulimia Nervosa.

4. What is binge eating disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder (also may be known as compulsive eating) is an eating disorder often categorized as EDNOS. It is marked by the suffered eating very large amounts of food, but not undergoing inappropriate methods of compensating. There is often a sense of lack of control over eating felt by the sufferer.

A person is diagnosed with binge eating disorder by a doctor if they follow the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders as shown in the DSM-IV:

  1. They experience recurrent episodes of binge eating. Binge eating is characterized by the person eating within a discrete period of time, an amount of good that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time, under similar circumstances, and they feel a sense of lack of control over their eating during the episode.
  2. The binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following:
    • Eating much more rapidly than normal
    • Eating until feeling uncomfortable full
    • Eating large amounts of good when not feeling physically hungry
    • Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
    • Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty after overeating.
  3. Noticeable distress regarding binge eating
  4. The binge eating occurs, on average at least two days per week for 6 months
  5. The binge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviours such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise, and does not occur exclusively during the course of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.

5. Is obesity an eating disorder?

No. Eating disorders are psychological disorders. A person suffering from an eating disorder often views dieting and their body shape and weight as the main focus of their life. It is a psychological disorder, and is often a method of coping with underlying unresolved emotional and psychological disorder. However, obesity in itself is not an eating disorder as it is not a psychological disorder. However, obesity can be a symptom of an eating disorder such as binge eating disorder. The binge eating associated with binge eating disorder can lead to the person gaining weight, showing outward signs of obesity. It is important to remember that obesity itself is not an eating disorder.

6. What causes eating disorders?

There is no single, definite cause of eating disorders. However, it is known that some sufferers may use their eating methods and patterns as a method of coping for various types of stress. In this way, a large number of factors may contribute to the development of an eating disorder. These could be:

  • Personality, or psychological factors
  • Precipitating, or situational factors
  • Family factors
  • Biological factors
  • Social, or cultural factors

These factors may contribute to the development of an eating disorder, however no single one of these factors are the cause of an eating disorder, It is helpful to remember that nobody chooses to develop and eating disorder, and no single person, event, or situation causes an eating disorder. Being aware of the factors that may have contributed to the development of an eating disorder can help you understand the disorder.

7. Does the media cause eating disorders?

Media may be a contributing factor in the development of eating disorders, but it is not the single “cause” of an eating disorder. Not everyone exposed to media images develops an eating disorder. Also, documentations of eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa have been made since the 1800s. This was long before magazines were developed, and the idea of an “ideal body shape” was different to the views we have today.

8. Who is at risk?

Nobody chooses to have an eating disorder, and it can be very difficult to predict who may be at risk of developing an eating disorder, and who will not.

No single person, event or situation causes an eating disorder, but an eating disorder may be developed due to a combination of various factors such as:

Personality, or psychological factors

  • Low self esteem
  • Need to seek the approval of others, trying to please others
  • Difficulties being assertive with others
  • Difficulties experiencing and expressing needs and feelings
  • Social anxiety
  • Perfectionism/high achievers
  • Rigid thought patterns
  • Over emphasis on body image
  • Fear of the responsibilities of adulthood

Precipitating, or situational factors:

  • Major life changes, e.g, adolescence, parent’s divorce/separation
  • Own marriage or separation
  • Child birth
  • Death of a loved one
  • Severe illness or accident
  • Relationship breakdown
  • Job loss, return to study, change of school
  • Accumulation of minor stressors
  • Dieting
  • History of abuse

Family factors

  • A belief that love from family and friends is dependent on high achievement
  • Poor communication between family members
  • The reluctance of parents to allow appropriate degrees of independence as children mature
  • Parent’s own attitude toward food and their own body image
  • Communication patterns within the family/how family deals with feelings

Biological factors

  • Pre disposition to imbalances of some mood regulating brain chemicals (serotonin)
  • Reduced blood flow to the temporal lobe (brain centre for self image)
  • Fasting, over exercise and vomiting may affect chemicals involved in mood control
  • Adolescence and the associated physical changes
  • Genetic or familial factors

Social, or cultural factors

  • Idealization of thinness, the association of thinness with success – can be learnt from the media, peers, and/or family
  • Pressure (or perceived pressure) around achievement and/or appearance
  • Focus on appearance, including experience with being teased about appearance
  • Mixed messages about health foods and fast foods; confusion about good nutrition and health eating

People with many of these factors may be at a higher risk than those who have only one of two of these factors.

9. How many people in Australia suffer from eating disorders?

It is a myth that eating disorders are uncommon. The number of people suffering eating disorders in the Western world is increasing. In Australia, about 2-3% of females are classified as anorexic or bulimic, and 20% of Australian women show symptoms of binge eating disorder.

10. Do men have eating disorders?

It is a myth that all eating disorder sufferers are female. Statistics show that one in every four children, and one in every ten adults diagnosed with anorexia are male. Preliminary research regarding other eating disorders indicates that there are approximately equal numbers of female and male sufferers.

It must also be taken into account that the number of males with eating disorders may be under reported. This could be due to females being more likely to access help for eating disorders, and similarly, health practitioners may be more likely to diagnose females with eating disorders. Another reason why the number of males suffering from eating disorders can be under estimated is because of the differing symptoms shown. Females are more likely to focus on weight loss, whereas males are more likely to focus on muscle mass. Altering diet to increase muscle mass, over exercising and steroid misuse are not yet classified as criteria for eating disorders.

11. What treatments are available?

Complete recovery from an eating disorder is possible; however, there is no single “miracle cure”. There are three main types of environments in which treatments are available:

  1. Inpatient- the person with an eating disorder has access to clinical support 24 hours a day, and involves structure programs and therapy
  2. Outpatient- the person with an eating disorder are seen by health professionals such as a psychiatrist or a dietician, whilst still maintaining everyday responsibilities such as school.
  3. Daypatient - the person with an eating disorder undergoes programs with structured eating situations and active treatment interventions during the day. They still live at home and in some cases may continue to attend work or school.

Different types of therapy that are available include:

Individual Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational Enhancement
  • Psychodynamic approaches
  • Interpersonal therapy
  • Feminist
  • Narrative
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Family Therapy

  • Maudsley Family Based Therapy

Group Therapy
Support Groups
Guided Self help
Pharmacological therapy

13. Who can I see if I have an eating disorder?

There are many health practitioners that you can see if you have an eating disorder. They include:

GP: to assess symptoms, perform medical examinations and give advice and education on medical issues. They can also prescribe medication such as anti-depressants. If they suspect a serious condition, they will refer you to a specialist.

Psychiatrist: to provide therapy, monitor and/or provide medication and assess/monitor physical symptoms. A referral to a psychiatrist can be made from a GP or another medical practitioner.

Dietician: to provide nutritional assessment, eating plans and nutritional education. Greatly help with nutritional rehabilitation and the development of healthy eating patterns.

Psychologist: Individual therapy; clinical psychologists - for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness and psychological problems.

Social worker: Individual therapy, family therapy, and self help and support groups

Counsellor: Individual counselling (however, they may not have a degree in behavioural science so it is important to check the qualifications of the practitioner)

Psychotherapist: Individual counselling (important to determine the qualifications of the individual practitioner as a degree is not required for the title of psychotherapist)