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Finding Help - Treatment

• Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria Inc.
• Tips for friends and families
• Australian and New Zealand Eating Disorders Organisations
• Mental Health and the law in Victoria

 

Treatment

• Where can you access treatment?
• What kinds of treatments are available?
• Some therapies that are used in the treatment of eating disorders:
• Other treatments that may complement the above therapy: (not usually effective in isolation)
• Services available in Victoria

Where can you access treatment?

Eating disorders are serious illnesses requiring treatment. They do not generally go away without professional help and it is often helpful to find a practitioner who has experience in treating eating disorders.

The important thing is finding a treatment that is right for you. Many people find what is successful for one person is not right for them. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find something or someone that works for you.

Where you go for treatment may depend on a number of things: what kind of eating disorder you have, how old you are and where you live and what you can afford. The following is a list of the kinds of places where you may find help. For more specific information about services in Victoria please follow the links.

Who treats eating disorders?

Private and Public Hospitals and Clinics:

• Certain hospitals and clinics offer specialist treatment as an in-patient (staying in the hospital), an outpatient (attending the hospital clinics or utilising its services) or as a day patient (attending the hospital most of the day but living at home).
• Practitioners working in hospitals and clinics may include:
  

  Physicians
  Paediatricians
  Dietitians
  Psychologists
  Psychiatrists
  Nurses
  Social workers
  Counsellors                                                                                                       Music therapists                                                                                                                                                                       Occupational Therapists                                                                                                                                                                                

• Genally hospitalisation as an inpatient is only required if the person's health is in serious danger.
• Private health insurance is recommended for those accessing private hospitals or clinics.
• Click here to see the list of services available in Victoria.

Community Mental Health Services:

• These are divided up into the Adult Mental Health Service (AMHS) and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
• Community mental health services offer assessment and treatment for serious psychological illnesses.
• See Victorian State Government Mental Health Services for a mental health service in your area or speak to your GP for a referral.

Community Health Services and Women's Health Services:

• Community health services and women's health services provide support from dietitians, counsellors, social workers and GP's.
• Services vary and may or may not be appropriate for those seeking treatment for an eating disorder.
• Try the better health channel at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au for services in your area.

Private Practitioners:

• Private practitioners may work from private clinics, general practices or their homes.
• Types of private practitioners may include:
  

  GP's
  Dietitians
  Psychologists
  Psychiatrists
  Counsellors                                                                                                  
  Paediatricians

 

• The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria offers a referral service to the above health professionals. To contact the EDFV click here.
• For referral to a private psychologist you may also try The Australian Psychological Society on 1800 333 497.
• For referral to a dietitian you can visit the website of the Dietitians Association of Australia www.daa.asn.au
• For referral to a psychiatrist you need to see your GP.

What kinds of treatments are available?

For most people, eating disorders can be treated successfully with a combination of medical care, psychological and nutritional counselling.

Medical monitoring is important, as it will help to correct and prevent some of the potentially dangerous complications of eating disorders.

Finding the right approach may take time and some people may try a number of different approaches before finding one that suits them.

Some therapies that are used in the treatment of eating disorders:

Individual therapy:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Music Therapy                                                                                                                         Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)

 

Family Therapy
Nutritional advice or counselling (ie from a dietitian)
Group Therapy
Guided Self-Help
Medication (commonly ani-depressants in conjunction with other therapy)

Other treatments that may complement the above therapy: (not usually effective in isolation)

Support Groups
Hypnotherapy
Natural Therapies (ie naturopaths)
Alternative Therapy (ie massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture)