Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa & Bulimia Nervosa

Are eating disorders whose common feature is the sufferer's extreme concern about shape and weight.

Sufferers judge their self worth or value almost entirely in terms of their shape and weight. As a result they engage in various behaviours designed to control body weight.

These include:

Extreme dieting
Deliberate vomiting
Abuse of laxative & diuretics
Vigorous exercising

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Anoxeria Nervosa

Refusal to maintain body weight over a minimum normal weight for age and height

Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
Distorted view of own weight size of shape e.g. person reports " feeling fat" even when obviously underweight.
Loss or disruption of menstrual periods.

Bulimia Nervosa

Repeated episodes of binge eating.
Sufferer reports lack of control over eating behaviour during the eating binges.
Regular deliberate vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting, fasting or vigorous exercise to prevent weight gain.
Minimum average of two binge eating episodes a week for at least 3 months.
Persistent overconcern with body shape and weight.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Loss or disruption of menstrual periods.
Anaemia . Reduced resistance to cold and reduced resistance to infection.
Swelling of Limbs.
Growth of down hair on arms and face.
Loss of head hair.
Severe tooth decay, mouth & oesophageal ulcers resulting from corrosion by stomach acid in people who frequently vomit.

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

The Behaviour Research and Therapy Unit at the Campbelltown Mental Health Service offers treatment for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa. Treatement is aimed at helping people stabilise and manage their eating using cognitive behavioural techinques.

No charge for services provided.
All information is treated confidentially

Referrals:

Can be made by phoning (02) 4629 5400 during office hours or writing to:

Behaviour Research & Therapy Unit
Anxiety Disorders Clinic
Campbelltown Mental Health Service
6 Browne Street
CAMPBELLTOWN NSW 2560