Eating disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, not lifestyle choices. They can affect anyone, of any age, gender, cultural background or body size, and recovery is possible.
Choose an eating disorder
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Anorexia nervosa
A serious mental illness where a person restricts what they eat, with an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted view of their body.
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Bulimia nervosa
A serious mental illness with repeated episodes of binge eating, followed by behaviours to make up for the eating, such as vomiting or over-exercising.
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Binge eating disorder
Repeated episodes of eating a large amount of food while feeling out of control, without the compensating behaviours of bulimia.
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ARFID
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Avoiding or limiting food because of sensory needs, fear of choking or being sick, or low interest, not body image.
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OSFED
Other specified feeding or eating disorder. It causes significant distress, but doesn’t meet all the criteria for another eating disorder.
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Eating disorders and neurodivergence
Autistic and ADHD people are more likely to have an eating disorder. Why, and what neurodiversity-affirming care looks like.
Other eating disorders
Other feeding and eating disorders include pica and rumination disorder. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration and Butterfly Foundation have information about each one.
This information is a guide only, not a diagnosis. If you’re worried about yourself or someone else, please talk to a GP or call the Butterfly Helpline on 1800 33 4673.
Where to start
See your GP. They can check your physical health and write an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, which gives Medicare rebates for up to 40 psychology sessions and 20 dietitian sessions over 12 months.
Not sure what to say? Our checklist for talking to your GP and Butterfly’s Where do I start? guide can help.
You can recover. You are not alone ❤️
Read how others found their way through recovery.