Screening
Early Identification
Screening High Risk Groups
Children & Young People
Do No Harm
Beware a 'Rule Out' Approach
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Screening High Risk Groups
High risk populations should also be considered for assessment
- Adolescents (12-25 years)(1)
- Females
- Times of key transition periods such as finishing school, puberty, pregnancy, menopause
- Woman with polycystic ovary syndrome or diabetes
- Athletes
- People seeking help for weight loss
- Children and adolescents with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and illnesses requiring long-term use of steroids
- People on a restrictive diet for medical reasons (i.e. IDDM)
- People with a family history of eating disorders
Eating disorders often co-occur with, and are preceded, by other mental health conditions. Mixed presentations are very common.
Common co-occurring conditions may include:
- Depression(2,3)
- Anxiety, social anxiety(2,3)
- Neglect, trauma, PTSD and complex trauma(4)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder(5)
- Bipolar disorder, bipolar effective disorder(6)
- Alcohol and other substance abuse disorder(7)
Other factors associated with disordered eating include:
- Social/environmental factors (childhood physical and sexual abuse; parental teasing about weight)
- Personality traits (perfectionism, impulsiveness)
Targeted screening and case finding is recommended for these groups.
Psychiatrist Prof. Janice Russell discusses conditions that commonly co-occur with eating disorders.
Remember: Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline is available for anyone seeking information and support around eating disorders and body image issues. Call 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE).