Eating disorders

Types of eating disorder

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect eating, and often weight, body image and physical health. They can affect people of any age, gender or body size.

• Anorexia nervosa

  Eating much less than the body needs, usually with an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted view of body shape or size. Weight is often low, but not always at first. It most often starts in the teenage years, and can begin in childhood.

• Bulimia nervosa

  Repeated episodes of binge eating, with a sense of losing control, followed by vomiting, laxatives, fasting or excessive exercise to make up for it. Weight is often in the usual range, so it can go unnoticed for a long time.

• Binge eating disorder

  Repeated episodes of eating a large amount of food in a short time, with a sense of losing control and distress afterwards, without regularly trying to make up for it. It affects people of all body sizes.

• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

  Eating a very narrow range of foods, or very little, because of sensitivity to taste or texture, fear of choking or vomiting, or little interest in food, rather than worry about weight or shape. It often starts in childhood and can affect growth and health.

• Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

  Eating problems that are serious but don't fit the other types exactly. Examples are atypical anorexia, where weight is in or above the usual range, and bulimia that happens less often. It is one of the most common eating disorders, and it can be just as medically serious.

• Pica and rumination disorder

  Pica is regularly eating things that are not food, such as soil, chalk or paper. Rumination disorder is bringing food back up after eating, then re-chewing, re-swallowing or spitting it out. Both are more common in young children and in people with developmental conditions.

Signs to look for

• Preoccupation with weight, shape or food
• Skipping meals or cutting out food groups
• Episodes of binge eating
• Vomiting, laxative use or excessive exercise
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Avoiding eating with others
• Eating only a very narrow range of foods, or fear of choking or vomiting
• In children: not growing or gaining weight as expected

Assessment

Assessment covers eating, weight history, mood and family life, alongside a check of physical health with your GP or paediatrician. For young people, parents are closely involved from the start.

Treatment

Dr Stanganelli assesses, diagnoses, prescribes where it helps, and coordinates your care with your GP, psychologist and school.

1. i.Family-based treatment for children and teenagers, with your psychologist or one Dr Stanganelli can refer you to
2. ii.Psychological therapy for adults, with your psychologist or one Dr Stanganelli can refer you to
3. iii.Medical monitoring with your GP or paediatrician
4. iv.Treating anxiety or depression that often comes with it

Getting started

Ask your GP or paediatrician for a referral to Dr Stanganelli, then email it to appointments@stanganelli.com.au. Or post it to PO Box 5571, Mackay QLD 4740. All referrals are reviewed and assessed by Dr Stanganelli to determine suitability for the practice. Submission of a referral does not guarantee acceptance or an appointment. If your referral is accepted, we'll contact you with a time in Mackay, Brisbane or by telehealth, usually in under 4 weeks. If we can't accept a referral, we'll let the referring doctor or the patient know.

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