Breaking down barriers

The stigma around eating disorders

Research shows that people who are identified and treated early in the course of an eating disorder have a significantly better chance of recovery when compared with those who have been living with an eating disorder longer; this is particularly relevant for young people.

However, people with eating disorders typically delay seeking treatment for eight years. This suggests that people with eating disorders experience significant barriers to seeking help. One principal barrier has been identified as the stigma that exists around eating disorders.

To reduce the stigma associated with eating disorders, there needs to be a shift in the attitudes and knowledge of the general community about eating disorders. This can be achieved through the development of a no-blame model aimed at minimising the shame experienced by people with eating disorders.

Standards and regulations also need to be applied to the media, with a particular focus on counteracting negative or inaccurate views on eating disorders. Negative body issues and unhealthy eating practices are commonly represented in the media. Steps are required to ensure that the media communicates appropriate messages regarding eating disorders, healthy eating and body image.

Other barriers in the pathway to care include:

The skills and knowledge of health care professionals – When people do seek help, it is often for a separate problem and practitioners may fail to look beyond the presenting issue and diagnose an eating disorder. This may be due to lack of knowledge or inaccurate beliefs about eating disorders that may be corrected through targeted health literacy programs and specific training in eating disorders.

Inaccessible care – Specialist services for eating disorders are concentrated in large metropolitan centres and access to care in rural and remote areas can be inadequate and in many cases, non-existent.

Unacceptable care- The availability of care for varying age groups, types of eating disorders and specific treatment interventions can often reflect clinician interest and expertise rather than coordinated planning, individual treatment options and holistic care.

Unclear pathways to care- Unfortunately people with eating disorders, and those caring for them, do not have a clear understanding of how and when to access help. Clear signposting of referral and care pathways are needed to promote available resources and services.

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