Video Transcription

Eating Disorders and Body Image Support

The prevalence of eating disorders in Australia is quite significant — up to 1.1 million people are affected.

On a typical day, I will have about four or five patients who present with eating disorders. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma around having an eating disorder.

My eating disorder started when I was 19 years old. I think there had always been signs that I had issues with food, particularly body image.

Over the duration of six years, I became increasingly isolated, cutting myself off from my family and friends. I lost my job and became quite suicidal, even making an attempt on my life. That was what kickstarted me to see my GP and then a psychologist.

Often, when people call through, they are at their lowest point. We want people to understand that they are coming to a space where they’re going to be supported and not judged in any way, and that they will be engaged by a qualified counselor who has experience with eating disorders.

I’ve had patients come to me as a second, third, or even fourth GP because the first GP wasn’t quite aware of what to do. We are able to provide referrals to GPs and support services. We go into schools to provide education, offer web chats, and recovery support groups. There are also a range of resources available.

I reached out to Butterfly the day I went into recovery. They were very helpful in terms of providing a non-judgmental space where I could ask any question. There were actually people out there who understood, and there were options.

Butterfly is critically important in Australia because there is such a lack of resources around eating disorders and body image concerns, especially in regional areas.

There is so, so much hope. I would say to my younger self that it isn’t her fault — this is an illness.

If I were to be speaking to somebody who was in need of help, advocacy, or treatment, my one suggestion for them would be to contact Butterfly. Butterfly will fight for you.

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