Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Eating disorders
What can cause an eating disorder?

It’s unlikely that one single thing will lead to an eating disorder. There is often a combination of risk factors, including genetics, emotional factors and cultural influences.

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Who gets eating disorders?

No matter your size, shape, age, abilities, gender identity, sexuality, cultural or linguistic background, economic status or location, anyone can experience an eating disorder.

Do you know someone at risk?

Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime but it’s not possible to tell if a person has an eating disorder simply by their appearance.
Body image
What is body image?

Body image is the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs we have about our bodies and how we look, including our shape, size, weight, and the way our body functions for us.

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Body image issues don’t discriminate.

There are many factors that can contribute to poor body image and body dissatisfaction. Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures.

Body image programs

Butterfly’s programs for young people, professionals and parents are evidence based and designed to provide practical strategies, skills and resources to support positive body image and healthy behaviours in young Australians.
Get support
Butterfly provides support, care, referrals and resources

Whether for you, a friend, a family member, a client, or anyone else that you care about, Butterfly is here to offer support.

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Butterfly’s National Helpline

Our helpline is free and confidential, and our specialist counsellors offer non-judgmental support over the phone, by email and by online chat, seven days a week.

Search Butterfly's Referral Database

Find eating disorder professionals, services and treatment nearest to you, through our Referral Database, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Professionals
Information, resources and referrals for your clients

Our Helpline and support services are not only for people impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, but also for clinicians and other health and education professionals.

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Butterfly referral database

Butterfly's Referral Database provides a directory of professionals, screened for an understanding of eating disorders, so people Australia-wide can find appropriate care..

Medicare items for eating disorders

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders may be eligible for new Medicare rebates under the Eating Disorder Medicare Plan.
School & Youth Professionals
Programs for people working with young people

Butterfly offers presentations, resources and workshops to teachers, professionals, young people and parents on the risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and eating disorders.

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Body Kind Schools

Support young people’s body image by joining Butterfly’s annual free schools awareness initiative. Finding ways to feel positive about your body can be challenging but we can all try to be kinder.

Butterfly Body Bright

A new whole of school program to promote positive body image and healthy attitudes and behaviours towards the body, eating, and physical activity in primary school-aged children.
Who we are
About Butterfly

Butterfly changes lives by providing support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of those with eating disorders and body image issues.

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A Voice for Change

As the voice of lived experience, Butterfly advocates on behalf of people impacted by negative body image, eating disorders, and those who support and care for them.

Our Partners and Supporters

Butterfly is extremely grateful for the passion and commitment of our dedicated corporate and community partners.
Get involved
Ways to get involved

There are many different ways you can get involved and help bring about positive change for those experiencing eating disorders and negative body image. You are a vital part of the solution.

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Our Impact

Established nearly 20 years, Butterfly’s multi-skilled team continue to make a significant impact within the mental health sector.

Share Your Story

Every experience of an eating disorder is unique. Sharing stories from personal experience allows for reflection, understanding and connection.

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Home

Blog

A space for sharing all things body image and eating disorders related. All blog entries are written by our staff, those with a lived experience and professionals.

What role does social media play in the development of negative body image and eating disorders?

A new parliamentary Inquiry into Social Media and Online Safety has provided Butterfly with a great opportunity to highlight the role of social media and other online spaces in the development of body image.

Autism, Eating Disorders and Me

Research indicates that 20-30% of adults with eating disorders are also Autistic, and the likelihood of having Autism is more than 15 times higher among people with Anorexia than among those without. But a lack of awareness among the public and healthcare providers means many go undiagnosed, and traditional eating disorder treatment models are often unsuitable for Autistic people. In this blog, Melanie shares her experience with autism and eating disorders, and what would have helped her.

Tips for the holiday season from Butterfly experts and lived experience voices

We asked Butterfly experts and members of our Lived Experience Network, the Butterfly Collective, for their advice and tips on navigating the holiday season while also living with an eating disorder.

Help kids feel BRIGHT in their body this holiday season

This festive season, we’re encouraging everyone to share some ‘body brightness’ with the children in their lives. #ButterflyBodyBright’s manager Dr. Stephanie Damiano has put together some tips for promoting positive body image and healthy behaviours in and around children during this time, so you can help your children thrive and feel BRIGHT in their bodies!

How to avoid post lockdown body shaming on social media

We’ve been through a lot, and like any life stage, it’s okay if your body has changed during this time. Remember, your body has kept you going through a global pandemic.

Supporting your loved one to keep on track with their recovery during the pandemic and beyond

KIT the Chatbot’s First Year of Life: Happy Birthday KIT!

One of the main researchers behind the world's first body image chatbot KIT, Dr Gemma Sharp, shares how and why KIT was made to support your body image in the place people often struggle the most: on social media.

Strength in loss: eating disorders and diabetes

In light of World Diabetes Day, Sienna shares her experience of having both diabetes and an eating disorder, commonly referred to as "Diabulimia". Trigger warning: Hospital admission, eating disorder behaviours, medical complications

What does quality eating disorder treatment look like for a person in a larger body?

Monica Catherine shares her experience of navigating eating disorder recovery and treatment in a larger body - and what helped and hindered her journey.

How to stop comparing your body to others

Comparing ourselves to others is only natural, but making body comparisons can be a sure way to bust a positive body image. Here's how to stop comparing your body to others.

Re-opening after lockdown and the resurgence of Diet Culture

As we emerge from lockdown, it's normal to feel anxious, particularly about how our bodies might have changed during this time. Kiara shares how she is focusing on her eating disorder recovery and not letting diet culture get her down.

Eating on ‘Auto-Pilot’ in the context of complex trauma

To cope with domestic violence and trauma, Monica turned to binge eating. Here's how she's healing her relationship with food & her body. Trigger warning: Domestic violence, eating disorders and suicidal ideation.

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Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.