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 is unhealthy perfectionism and how can you overcome it?

Living up to society’s unrealistic standards of perfection is taxing on your self-esteem and wellbeing. When you strive for perfection in relation to your diet and bodily appearance, it can have particularly harmful consequences. Read on to discover what defines unhealthy perfectionism and simple ways that you can overcome it within your everyday life.

How to choose recovery during lockdowns and beyond

Particularly during stressful periods, it’s not uncommon to use your eating disorder as a coping mechanism. Here’s how to choose recovery.

Culturally safe support drastically needed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing eating disorders

“My message to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are going through similar feelings and situations, is to find support in each other and to talk about it. Don't push it under the rug. We all are facing these issues and there's a reason behind it; we're not meant to fit into the beauty standards that society pushes onto us. We really need to embrace each other.” Read Garra's experience with an eating disorder and body image concerns. #EveryBODYisDeadly #YarnAboutBodyImage

Ramadan and Eating Disorders

During the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, a time for spiritual devotion and a demonstration of one’s commitment to their faith, fasting from sunrise to sundown for 30 days. But for those living with eating disorders, Ramadan can become a triggering time, presenting the opportunity to disguise eating disorder behaviors under the pretense of a dedication to faith. Maha Khan shares her experience and how to get support during this time.

Yarning and the art of drag helped Aboriginal Drag Queen Felicia Foxx overcome body image issues

“It’s so important for me to go out and speak about my body issues and eating problems, because there might be another little Aboriginal boy out there who is experiencing the same thing as me. Our health is our number one issue, and it needs to be spoken about more in Aboriginal communities. We need to be educated around how our bodies work and how it is normal to feel the ways we feel.”

Autism, Eating Disorders, and Body Image: Through the Lens of Sensory Processing

Researcher Laurence Cobbaert explains the often under-reported link between autism and eating disorders through sharing her own lived experience.

What is weight bias and fatphobia, and how can we challenge it?

“Specifically, research has consistently shown that increased exposure and close contact with those who living in larger bodies leads to reduced weight bias.” Weight bias and fatphobia is harmful, but there are ways to challenge it.

The Impact of Our Services – 2020 Year in Review

Now that the dust has settled on 2020, Butterfly's CEO Kevin Barrow takes a look back at the impact of our services in what was a challenging year for all.

The Rise of Muscle Dysmorphia

A sub-type of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Muscle Dysmorphia is becoming increasingly common - particularly amongst males. Males can have body image issues and get eating disorders too, but less than 1% of all the body image and eating disorder research is conducted exclusively on them. Hear from PhD researcher Cassidy Shaw on this emerging disorder and it's impact on men and boys alike.

Positive coping mechanisms to get through COVID-19

Butterfly speaker Jenna shares how she focused on her eating disorder recovery during the pandemic.

Tips for people struggling with body image issues/EDs during lockdown

If you’re struggling with body image issues or eating disorder during lockdown, there are ways you can support yourself.

Why I Choose to #BoycottTheBefore

"Our struggles cannot be boiled down to a “before” photo; there is so much more to our recoveries." Mental health advocate and guest writer Lexie Manion shares why we should avoid posting "before" photos and explains her instagram movement #BoycottTheBefore

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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.