Identification

Identification refers to the detection of warning signs or symptoms, and engagement with the person who may be experiencing an eating disorder, to support access to an initial response. In some instances, warning signs or symptoms may be self-identified, and the person may seek out an initial response themselves.

Early identification is crucial to early intervention and better treatment outcomes. Shorter duration of untreated illness is associated with better treatment outcomes for eating disorders (1), reducing the impact of the eating disorder on the person and their family/supports and community. Many people experiencing or at risk of an eating disorder are not identified early in the course of illness (or sub-threshold illness) (2, 3, 4). People frequently present to primary health care settings for other concerns (3, 5), but the eating disorder is not identified, and evidence-based treatment is not accessed or provided. A lack of awareness of different types of eating disorder presentations (such as binge-eating disorder and OSFED) impacts on identification (2) and this can be exacerbated by weight stigma and weight-centric approaches, resulting in eating disorders being missed or discounted.

Who has a role in Identification?

Community members and professionals with a role in identification include (but are not limited to)  Individuals and families; community services; schools and education settings; sports, cultural, youth and other settings; lived experience organisations; helplines and digital tools; public and private health and mental health services including general practice, community health services, child and adolescent/youth and adult community mental health services, headspace, Head to Health, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, emergency departments, eating disorder-specific services.

What do I need to know to be an Identifier?

To support the identification of eating disorders, it is helpful to know:

• What are eating disorders?
• The types of eating disorders
• Warning signs
• Risk factors
• High risk groups
• How to have a conversation with someone you are concerned about

Resources to support Identification

NEDC has compiled information on the five topics listed above to support all individuals to be able to identify eating disorders and support someone to access care. Resources are linked below and in the side boxes.

• What are eating disorders?
• Types of eating disorders including ARFID, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and OSFED
• Warning signs, including physical, behavioural and psychological signs
• Risk factors, including biological, genetic, psyhcological, behavioural, and socio-cultural and high risk groups
• How to have a conversation with someone you are concerned about

Digital tools and resources can also support identification for people experiencing an eating disorder and families/supports. 

 

References

1. Andrés-Pepiñá S, Plana MT, Flamarique I, Romero S, Borràs R, Julià L, et al. Long-term outcome and psychiatric comorbidity of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2020 Jan;25(1):33-44.

2. Hamilton A, Mitchison D, Basten C, Byrne S, Goldstein M, Hay P, et al. Understanding treatment delay: Perceived barriers preventing treatment-seeking for eating disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2021 Jul 12;56(3):248-59.

3. Ivancic L, Maguire S, Miskovic-Wheatley J, Harrison C, Nassar N. Prevalence and management of people with eating disorders presenting to primary care: A national study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2021 Nov;55(11):1089-100.

4. Striegel Weissman R, Rosselli F. Reducing the burden of suffering from eating disorders: Unmet treatment needs, cost of illness, and the quest for cost-effectiveness. Behav Res Ther. 2017 Jan;88:49-64.

5. Fursland A, Watson HJ. Eating disorders: A hidden phenomenon in outpatient mental health? Int J Eat Disord. 2014 May;47(4):422-5.