Recovery from eating disorders is possible with the right amount of help, treatment and support.
Eating disorders are complex and multifaceted, and impact on a person's physical, nutritional, and mental health. Due to the nature of eating disorders, treatment often includes a number of qualified practitioners such as a medical doctors, mental health professional, dietitian, psychiatrist, nurses, dietitians, and other allied health professionals. You can read more about the eating disorder care team here.
Health Professional Resources
Health Professionals are likely to come into contact with someone with an eating disorder, whether that be through supporting a person with a co-occurring condition or if the person is coming to see them specifically for support regarding the eating disorder. All health professionals have a role in identifying and responding to eating disorders, and some will have a role in providing treatment.
NEDC has developed a range of health professional resources to support their roles in the prevention, identification, medical management and referral of patients with eating disorders. This includes resources for general practitioners, mental health professionals, dietitians, nurses, and other allied health professionals. These resources are designed to help the clinicians better understand eating disorders and fulfil their role in identification and response.
General Practitioners: A Professional Resource
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Guided Self-Help (CBT-GSH) fact sheet
Eating Disorders and the Dietitian Decision-Making Tool
Pregnancy: A Guide for Assessment and Referral
Dentistry and Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders: Identification and response fact sheet
Resources from other organisations
CCI Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating Workbook
Break Free From ED modules provide clear, scientific information about eating disorders and guide consumers through key components of cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED).
ANZAED Online Consultation Program
Consultations will be provided in a modularised 4 or 8-session group format, in specific psychological and dietetic treatment modalities and aimed primarily at clinicians working with eating disorder patients who have some postgraduate knowledge or training in eating disorders.
NEDC collaborated with ADA to provide information for dentists and their patients about eating disorders and dental health. Fact sheets include Protecting Your Oral Health and Talking to Your Dentist.
The video Eating Disorders and Oral Health was also produced in partnership with the ADA. It outlines the key oral signs and symptoms of eating disorders that may be observed by oral health practitioners. The video gives tips on how to discuss concerns with patients, next steps and referral pathways.
NSW Health eating disorders and oral health brochure
NEDC contributed to the development of a NSW Health brochure which provides information on caring for teeth and gums for people experiencing an eating disorder.
Key national and state/territory organisations, policies and guidelines
Access the key eating disorder national and state/territory, policies and guidelines, in addition to national and state/territory-based service development and lived experience organisations here.
For information about treatment and support services, refer to NEDC’s Service Locator.