Eating disorders are complex and serious mental health conditions that can have devasting impacts on many facets of a person’s life. They can negatively impact on a person’s physical and mental health, relationships, work, school, and social life.
Why is early intervention so important?
Early detection and treatment of an eating disorder is important. Research has shown that if treatment for an eating disorder commences early, then the outcomes for treatment can improve significantly – particularly if commenced within the first three years. As well as this, if treatment is started at the stage of ‘disordered eating’ (that is before the person’s symptoms are severe enough to diagnose an eating disorder), then the chances of recovery are even higher.
Improved treatment outcomes include:
- Earlier reduction in disordered eating behaviours.
- Increased motivation to recover, help-seeking, and treatment engagement.
- Improved mental health outcomes.
- Decreased need for more intensive interventions such as hospitalisations or day programs.
- Shorter duration of treatment.
- Limiting the progression of an eating disorder.
What does early intervention look like?
Early intervention involves the early detection, diagnosis, and commencement of treatment of an eating disorder. It means recognising that a person has, or is at risk of developing, an eating disorder and supporting them to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Where would I go if I think I have an eating disorder, or where would I encourage a loved one to go if I am worried about them?
Eating disorder treatment requires input from a multidisciplinary team. That is, a team of people from different professions, ideally with training and expertise in the treatment of eating disorders.
Examples of members of the team include:
General Practitioner
Your GP is a great first step if you are worried. They can do a medical assessment to determine if there is any current impact on your health from disordered eating and can assist with referrals to other professionals to build your treatment team. They can also assess your eligibility for support through Medicare to assist with ongoing costs of treatment. Some GPs can diagnose an eating disorder, while others may refer you to a mental health practitioner for a diagnosis.
Psychologist or psychiatrist
Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists can do comprehensive assessments and provide a diagnosis of an eating disorder. Both these professionals as well as registered psychologists can also provide mental health support as part of ongoing treatment for an eating disorder. As eating disorders are classified as a mental illness, mental health practitioners are an essential and valuable member of the treatment team.
Dietitians
Dietitians are experts in food, nutrition, and the body and can help with understanding what normal and healthy eating looks like. They can assist with screening to determine the risk of an eating disorder and recommend following up with a GP or mental health professional as needed. Dietitians draw on evidence-based information to provide education and practical support for normalizing eating behaviours and reducing the stress and anxiety around foods. If you are experiencing disordered eating or struggling with your relationship with food, consider seeking out a ‘non-diet’ dietitian, as they are best placed to help reduce rules-based eating and focus on normalizing your relationship with food.
Other health professionals
These could include social workers, exercise physiologists, recovery coaches, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and so on depending on the needs of the person receiving care. It could also mean additional mental health support for families who are supporting a loved one with an eating disorder.
Public Health Services
Each state and territory in Australia offer a public health service for people with eating disorders, however these services can differ depending on where you are. They provide expert care by a multidisciplinary team and are a great place to go, especially if putting together a private team is not possible for you.
Do you feel like a loved one or yourself are struggling with disordered eating? We are here for you! Check out Sian’s profile below for support.
References:
- Vall E, Wade TD. Predictors of treatment outcome in individuals with eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(7):946-71.
- McClelland J, Hodsoll J, Brown A, Lang K, Boysen E, Flynn M, et al. A pilot evaluation of a novel First Episode and Rapid Early Intervention service for Eating Disorders (FREED). Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2018;26(2):129-40.
- Rowe E. Early detection of eating disorders in general practice. Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(11):833-8.
- Koreshe E, Paxton S, Miskovic-Wheatley J, Bryant E, Le A, Maloney D, et al. Prevention and early intervention in eating disorders: findings from a rapid review. J Eat Disord. 2023;11(1):38.
- Flynn M, Austin A, Lang K, Allen K, Bassi R, Brady G, et al. Assessing the impact of First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders on duration of untreated eating disorder: A multi-centre quasi-experimental study. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2021;29(3):458-71.
- Austin A, Flynn M, Richards K, Hodsoll J, Duarte TA, Robinson P, et al. Duration of untreated eating disorder and relationship to outcomes: A systematic review of the literature. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2021;29(3):329-45.
- Allen KL, Mountford VA, Elwyn R, Flynn M, Fursland A, Obeid N, et al. A framework for conceptualising early intervention for eating disorders. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2023;31(2):320-34.
