Thank you for having me.  I'm so impressed with how positive and supportive everyone has been!!!  Amazing :)   ... View more

When it comes to doing something practical, it can be a bit confronting initially when we really become aware of how we speak about food and to our body. If we don't challenge the negative things we are doing (ie body bullying, using food to punish or reward ourselves, being critical or comparing our bodies to others, not accepting compliments graciously) we are always going to feel the same.  At Butterfly, we like to encourage people to become Champions for Change with this issue - so many people are all over the negative stuff when it comes to body image and food and exercise... How refreshing is it to see someone is kind and positive about themselves and their appearance?  And it can be all of us!         ... View more

And also when looking for help for a loved one - trust your own instincts.  Sometimes a professional may disregard your concerns but if you know that something is not right, find the professional that will listen and take your concerns seriously so that your loved one (or you) can start on the path towards recovery!  Full recovery is possible!   ... View more

Georgie, definitely trying to get a referral to a health professional who specialises in ED's is important or even seeing a GP who has a good understanding of ED's is important too.   In relation to body image, again, finding professionals who specialise in this area is important (quick fixes promised by the weight loss and fitness industry isn't really going to help long term!)  There are some amazing positive body image blogs and websites on line (butterfly has some links to some) that you can visit that challenge ideals and provide strategies and ideas on how to improve the way you feel about your appearance.  One thing is for certain, working on the feelings you have about your body and working on liking, accepting and respecting your body shape and size and engaging in healthy practices with food and exercise can be a start when it comes to body acceptance.  Body Image is a feeling above all else, the feelings we have will change from day to day and as a result of different experiences, just changing the physical isn't the answer. Understanding what triggers the feelings we have towards our body is important - the good ones and the not so good can really help us and the level of body confidence and satisfaction we feel! ... View more

Fozzie, it can be really hard when you have a loved one battling an Eating Disorder.  The other suggestions provided are really fantastic and I would also encourage you to contact the Butterfly Support Line as this service is also there to help people caring and supporting a loved one or friend.  You can establish a support for yourself through the support line, it can be a positive way and place to vent and air your concerns and frustrations.   ... View more

Hey adrianh: great to have your contributions tonight, take care ... View more

Great response Bubblez... it can be really hard to know what to do, or know the right thing to say to a friend.  As it was mentioned, sometimes people can be in denial for a very long time before they can identify that what they are experincing is a really serious problem.  Listening and supporting them and encouraging them to seek help (gently) as well as being non judgemental is really important.  It's important as a friend or carer to understand that you can't fix the problem for your friend and whilst this can be really frustrating, understanding that they are going through something really serious and just being a consistent, positive person in their life can be an incredible support and comfort to someone living with an eating disorder (they can be so isolating!) ... View more

dk: it must be really reassuring to hear from your daughter now that it gave her hope. You've been through a lot but it sounds like it was all worth it ... View more

Bubblez, not being judgemental is a huge one... it can be hard sometimes but we all should work hard at keeping this at the front of our minds when supporting family and friends ... View more

We do need to be careful not to blame mothers!  As I mentioned before there are many reasons why a person will develop an eating disorder and they are so much more complex than a person just wanting to gain control over (something/anything)   DK - unfortunately exercise obsessions are a serious part of eating disorders and are not separate or a different condition!  ... View more

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a supportive friend to someone with an eating disorder? The last anonymous Q we received this week relates to this, so here is my answer...   How can you help friends with negative body image?   My Answer: It can be really hard to know what to do or what to sat when a friend has negative body image.  Because body image is a feeling it’s absolutely normal and ok to have days when we don’t feel great about our body or the way we look.  However, if a friend seems to be having more bad days than good ones it is important that you do what we can to help them.  Please remember though, as their friend you can do your best to help, listen and support them but it’s not your responsibility to fix them. If they are experiencing negative body image, sometimes no matter what you say or what you try to do won’t help them in that   Some things you can do to help them: Listen to and acknowledge what they are saying.  For example saying ‘I’m really sorry you’re feeling like that’ rather than ‘don’t be silly, you’re gorgeous/thin/beautiful’.  Negative body image is a very real thing and can be all consuming for some people. Highlighting qualities within that you see and value in your friend or their talents and strengths. Encourage them to talk to someone (a professional) to get some help for how they are feeling, it’s really important they seek some professional help if they are starting to use food and exercise to manage the way they are feeling. Sometimes we might try to help our friends feel better by pointing out things we don’t like about ourselves or bully our own body.  Whilst it can normalise negative body image, berating yourself or your own body (fat talk) in an attempt to make your friend feel better about themselves, won’t help anyone feel good.  Be a good role model amongst your friends – speak kindly about your own body and other people’s body shapes (if you must talk about appearance!), not engaging in diets or excessive exercise regimes, focus on what the body can do rather than how it looks are all ways that can show others what positive body image is. ... View more

In answer to the question about what is effective when it comes to treatment... This is a really tricky one. What works for one sufferer may be the thing that makes another sufferer become even more consumed!  There are obviously lots of different types of treatment options out there and it is about finding what works for the person.  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has actually been proven (research!) to work with people suffering from Bulimia.  It is often used for Anorexia but can be ineffective - but that's not to say that it doesn't help some people.  Every case really is different and treatment needs to consider this!  What research does suggest to be effective for treatment of ALL Eating Disorders is the multi-disciplinary approach.  This team could consist of a psychotherapist, dietician, allied health professionals and anyone else that the person feels may help.  It is important that the professionals that a person suffering works with do specialise in Eating Disorders.  In order for recovery to happen the sufferer needs to be working with their team, rather than with their Eating Disorder!  ... View more

Your guesses are pretty spot on Adrian! Well done...  When it comes to risk factors there are biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors that put a person at greater risk of developing an ED and some you've covered!   Things like; personality type (black and white thinker, perfectionist, high achiever), a persons level of self esteem, is there a family history (genetics) of ED's or other mental illness (research is showing that there are definitely people predisposed), has the person been bullied or teased about their weight or size, being overweight as a child, trauma or abuse (but not always contrary to belief!)   It's so important to understand with ED's that there is not just one cause that will lead to the development of an ED and it is no ones fault (unfortunately parents get blamed a lot by people who are uneducated about ED's and the reasons they develop).  Every case is different with the reasons why they develop different too! ... View more

Hi dk!  That is so wonderful to hear that your daughter has recovered, that is no mean feat.  It is very frustrating that many medical professionals still don't quite understand ED's or how to treat them (ie. that they are a mental illness).  That's why it is important that when someone is suffering from an ED that they (where possible) find health professionals who specialise in ED's.  That can be a challenge in itself, but hopefully sooner than later health professionals will have a better understand of what ED's really are.  Butterfly are working on this through advocacy, awareness and education! ... View more

Hi Bubblez,   There are 4 types of clinical eating disorders that are classified as a mental illness, these are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) and Binge Eating Disorder they all have their own set of diagnostic criteria and diagnosis can only be done by a health professional. Every case is different and how people present can be different. The most common diagnosis is EDNOS - and this is because most people don't fit neatly into one box (anorexia or Bulimia).  Regardless of what the diagnosis the mindset for eating disorders is very similar and all are extremely serious and can be life threatening.  When someone's mindset and behaviours are taking over their life they can be diagnosed with an eating disorder.  They don't have to just be medically unstable for it to be recognised as serious.   We can't forget that there is also 'Disordered Eating' which is a very real problem for many people and this can impact a persons physical and mental wellbeing (and their life generally) significantly!     ... View more

Here is the second anonymous question that was submitted this month:   " Is there a major difference between Anorexia and Bulimia. Is one more dangerous than the other?"   My Answer: All eating disorders, and there are four types; Anorexia (AN), Bulimia (BN), Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED), are serious, dangerous and potentially life threatening.  The criteria for diagnosis for Anorexia and Bulimia are different but life can be threatened with all disorders.  Every case is different and the severity of the illness can differ from case to case – regardless of the eating disorder diagnosed. ... View more

Hi Adrianhempfing!  I love your last point...   ED's are such complex illnesses and there is still SO much stigma and misunderstanding out there in the community about what ED's are and aren't.  It sadly is one of the reasons why many people don't seek help - for fear of not being taking seriously or understood.  I think over the night we'll be exploring some of those myths but a very real and significant risk factor is dieting.  Not every person who diets will develop and eating disorder but research suggests that every person who has an ED has dieted!  It's a little scary how the weight loss and fitness industries can't see the dangers in the practice of dieting!! ... View more

Hi there AshleeMaree, you are correct, males definitely do experience eating disorders also.  Current stats show that about 65% of eating disorder sufferers are female.  Many males don't seek help due to stigma attachd to Eating Disorders (ED's) and so it's actually really hard to know just how many males are suffering out there!   ... View more

Hi everyone! I'm Danni from Butterfly Foundation happy to be there... here's my answer to the frist anonymous question that we received last week:   I’m wondering how to stop myself from overeating when feeling upset or angry or whatever.  I feel like it’s starting to take over my life.  I already hate my body as it is and this is only making me feel ten times worse.  It’s contributing to depression 2…   My Answer: I’m really sorry to hear that you are feeling the way that you are.  Unfortunately, when we don’t have other ways to cope with negative emotions we can turn to food and as you have no doubt experienced, this isn’t making you feel any better.  What is really great is that you’ve identified that it’s not working for you, that it’s starting to really consume you and add to your depression.   Given that you’re experiencing something pretty serious, it’s important that I direct you to where you are going to be able to get the most support and so I would really encourage you to contact The Butterfly Foundation Support Line. This is a free service where you can either chat, email or do that online chat thing! They are there to listen and support you so you can let them know everything you’re feeling, thinking and doing in a safe and confidential space and they can suggest some strategies to help you when things are tough. The details are 1800 33 4673 or support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au ... View more