An eating disorder is characterised by obsessive thoughts about food and body weight. This includes people who limit the amount of food they eat (Anorexia nervosa), eat lots of food in a very small time and then purge (Bulimia) or overeat often (Compulsive overeating).

What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?
Obsessive thoughts about food and body weight can change eating patterns (dieting, making excuses not to eat, avoidance of social situations involving food, going to the bathroom straight after meals), mood (feeling depressed, irritable or anxious), daily activities (not wanting to go out socially often, exercising excessively, spending a lot of time talking about appearance or weight or looking in the mirror) and appearance (wearing baggy clothes, losing or gaining weight, greasy or dry hair and skin).

More information on anorexia and bulimia can be found at the following websites:

• The Eating Disorders Association Inc (Qld)  - the Eating Disorders Association Inc (Qld) is a non-discriminatory, non-profit organisation.
• About Face
• Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness
• Body Positive
• Womens Health Queensland  - Women's Health provides balanced information independent of health care provider interests for women and health workers.
• The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED)  aims to reduce the occurrence, impact and duration of eating disorders in people of all ages, through the provision of education, training, consultation and research to health care providers at all levels.
• Something-fishy.org  - excellent resource for everything related to eating disorders and treatment
• Eating Disorders Foundation Inc.  - a positive approach to recovery
• Healthinsite.gov.au  - various article related to eating disorders
• Better Health Channel  - children and eating disorders
• Reach Out!  - offering assistance to those with an eating disorder
• Women's Health Qld  - body image factsheet
• Women's Health Qld  - eating disorders factsheet
• Young Adult Health  - information on the causes of and how to help someone with an eating disorder
• CaringOnline  - information about recovery

Remember, you must seek professional help from a mental health professional, mental health service, your GP or health provider when problems arise.

Last Updated: 24 April 2008
Last Reviewed: 24 April 2008