Eating Disorders Explained: Signs, Risks, and the Path to Recovery

16th March, 2026

Eating disorders are serious illnesses. They affect how a person thinks about food, weight, and their body. They are not just about “dieting” or wanting to be thin. They are mental health disorders that harm both the mind and the body.

Eating disorders can happen to anyone. They affect children, teenagers, adults, men, women, and people from all cultures. Many people do not ask for help. By the time they see a doctor, they have typically been unwell for a long time.

There are three main types of eating disorders:

1. Anorexia nervosa is when someone has an intense fear of gaining weight. They eat very little and may exercise too much. Even if they are very thin, they may still feel “overweight.” This illness can damage the heart, bones, and other organs. It has one of the highest death rates of any mental illness.
2. Bulimia nervosa is when someone eats a large amount of food in a short time (called a binge) and then tries to “undo” it. They may make themselves vomit, use laxatives, fast, or over-exercise. This cycle can happen many times a week. It can cause serious problems like heart rhythm changes, stomach tears, and damage to teeth.
3. Binge eating disorder is when someone eats a large amount of food in a short time and feels out of control while doing it. Unlike bulimia nervosa, they do not regularly try to purge. Many people with this condition feel shame, guilt, or sadness. It is linked with other health problems such as depression, anxiety, and obesity.

Eating disorders are complex and the range of presentations is striking and enormously varied. They affect three key areas: thinking, behaviours, and physical health. The disordered thinking is the core of the problem and the most important part. A person may believe they are not good enough or that their worth depends on their weight. Even if eating improves, these complex thinking and psychological issues need care and addressing in treatment. Without help for the underlying thinking and feelings, relapse often happens, often in reaction to other life stressors.

Eating disorders often start in the teenage years or early adulthood, but they can begin at any age. People can move from one type of eating disorder to another over time. Stressful life events can make symptoms worse as they overwhelm the patient’s fragile emotional equilibrium.

Many people with eating disorders also have other mental health conditions. These can include depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, trauma, PTSD, substance use, and suicidal thoughts. This is another reason why early treatment is so important.

Eating disorders can also cause many medical problems. These may include heart problems, weak bones, hormone changes, fertility problems, stomach issues, vitamin deficiencies, and changes in blood pressure. In severe and chronic cases, they can be life-threatening.

Treatment is best when a medical team works together. This team may include a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, dietitian, and other medical specialists. Treatment goals include making the physical conditions safe and stable, improving eating habits, and helping the person manage difficult thoughts and feelings. Family support is often very important, especially for young people.

Recovery can take time. Some people recover fully. Others may have ongoing symptoms or develop chronic forms of the disorder. The earlier treatment starts, the better the chance of recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with food, weight, or body image, help is available. Eating disorders are serious, but with the right care and support, recovery is possible.

About the author: Dr Stephen Freiberg is a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist with over 30 years of private practice experience. He is an accredited member of the RANZCP Faculties of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. Dr Freiberg works with adults experiencing mood and anxiety disorders, chronic depression, substance‑related issues, trauma‑related conditions (PTSD), personality disorders and eating disorders. He has a particular interest in psychosomatic conditions and supporting patients with cancer and other chronic medical or dermatological illnesses. He has held roles in university health services, liaison psychiatry in major Sydney hospitals, and forensic psychiatry, and has served on editorial and professional association boards in Australia and internationally. Dr Freiberg works at Eastern Suburbs Psychiatry here at St Vincent’s Clinic.