Anorexia Nervosa in Australia: Prevalence, Risks, and Support Resources

Anorexia nervosa affects ~1% of Australians (~250,000). It carries the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder.

Key Risks

• Starvation: cardiac arrhythmia, electrolyte chaos, refeeding syndrome.
• Osteoporosis, endocrine dysfunction (amenorrhea), GI dysmotility.
• Psychiatric comorbidity: depression, anxiety, OCD, suicide.

Treatment

• Multidisciplinary: medical stabilization, nutritional rehabilitation, psychotherapy (CBT-E, FBT for adolescents), family support.
• Inpatient if BMI <14, medical instability, suicide risk.

Resources

Butterfly Foundation (1800 33 4673), National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), state eating disorder services. Early intervention improves recovery.