Caring for someone with an eating disorder

An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that involves an unhealthy relationship with food. Eating disorders include binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). Eating disorders can have a significant physical and emotional impact on the person affected, and their carer.

Getting help with eating disorders

If the person you care for has symptoms of an eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help as early as possible. Your doctor can refer you to an appropriate health professional who will determine whether the person has an eating disorder.

Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) provides information for families and carers of a person with eating disorders.

You can also speak confidentially to an adviser on the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline (1800 33 4673, 8am to midnight AEST, 7 days a week).