June 2003

Eating disorder info on the internet

From when Fiona was 18 until she was 40 her eating disorder played a large part in her life.

She thought constantly about food and alternated between fasting and overeating.

Her weight would fluctuate hugely and she was in a cycle of either not eating anything at all or eating large amounts.

In her 30s her weight increased as her body changed and her overeating became binge eating.

She found it increasingly difficult to fast.

When her weight was up it had a huge impact on her social life—she became a hermit.

She was depressed and ate alone, mostly at night.

Kath, meanwhile, developed anorexia nervosa when she was 10.

By the time she was 12 she had recovered physically but not mentally—the conditioned recurred when she was 19 and again at 25.

Each time she recovered but relapsed under stress, in situations over which she had no control and when she felt hopeless and helpless.

In complete desperation, under threat of losing her husband and career—she collapsed at work—and suffering anxiety about hurting those she loved, Kath sought treatment.

Fiona’s and Kath’s stories are on the new website of the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED).

As well as the personal stories, the website provides information, facts and findings on eating disorders, suggested reading, a directory of services, information for professionals and an education and training calendar for professionals.

The Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders—located at the Royal Melbourne Hospital—was launched in 2002 as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to improving health care for people with eating disorders.

CEED aims to reduce the risk, duration and impact of eating disorders in people of all ages by building Victoria’s capacity to undertake effective prevention, early intervention and clinical care.

CEED partners are Doutta Galla Community Health Services, the Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria, Melbourne Health through North Western Mental Health and Women and Children’s Health through the Centre for Adolescent Health.

• Visit the CEED website at www.ceed.org.au.