Eating Disorders, treatments & Psychologists

Eating Disorders are mental health conditions that go beyond food. Eating disorders affect a person’s relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. It involves persistent disturbances in eating behaviours, often accompanied by distressing thoughts and emotions related to food, eating, body weight, or shape.

There are a number of Psychologists in Melbourne who are experienced in treatment of Eating Disorders.

If you meet criteria for an Eating Disorder Treatment Plan, you are eligible up to 40 Medicare-subsidised sessions with a Psychologist in a calendar year. You can see more information here.

Common types of eating disorders include:

  • Anorexia Nervosa

  • Bulimia Nervosa

  • Binge Eating Disorder

  • Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders

Disordered eating versus eating disorders?

Disordered eating refers to a wide range of eating behaviours that may not meet the criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder but can still be harmful and impact daily functioning.
Receiving an eating disorder diagnosis depends on the frequency, intensity, and impact of disordered eating behaviours, in addition to other criteria such as body image concerns.

Disordered eating includes behaviours such as:

  • Dieting

  • Skipping meals

  • Labelling foods as “good” or “bad”

  • Feeling guilty after eating

  • Obsessing over food or calories

  • Using food as a way to cope with emotions

While disordered eating is not the same as an eating disorder, it can still impact mental and physical health over time. It also increases the risk of developing an eating disorder later.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is characterised by

  • extreme food restriction

  • an intense fear of gaining weight, and

  • a distorted body image.

People with anorexia often see themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight. They may avoid meals, count calories obsessively, or engage in excessive exercise to lose weight.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensation behaviours such as vomiting, dieting, excessive exercise, or use of laxatives. Binge episodes are associated with a sense of loss of control. People with bulimia also struggle with body image concerns.

Treatment options by Psychologist and / or other Professionals

Treatment may involve combination of psychological, nutritional, and medical support. The approach depends on the individual’s specific needs.

Therapy approaches may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED), which helps individuals challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviours around food and body image.

  • Family-Based Therapy (FBT) involves the whole family in supporting the person’s recovery.

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which useful in addressing emotional regulation or distress tolerance difficulties that may underlie eating disorder behaviours, particularly for binge eating.

More Resources

There are a number of helpful websites and organisations that provide more information Eating Disorder, such as