University of Melbourne researchers are exploring how anorexia affects adults and some of the unique challenges older people with the illness face.
Photo: 123rf
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that leads to unhealthy and often dangerous weight loss.
It is often portrayed as an illness affecting teenage girls, but Auckland-based lead researcher Kristina Lainson said it affected people across all social groups, of all ages and genders.
EDANZ offers support to people with an eating disorder
"Research has indicated that of the people who have gained a diagnosis in their younger years, at least a quarter to a half of those people will find the problems lasts for many many years or is recurrent over a number of years," she said.
Anorexia researcher Kristina Lainson Photo: Supplied / The Wireless
Ms Lainson said so far she had spoken to about 50 people from the United States, Scotland, England, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand about their experiences.
"It's not fun, it's hard - really hard - and it interferes with education, career, social life, with family, with absolutely every area," she said.
She said anorexia was an ongoing struggle in the lives of many middle-aged and older people, contradicting the common misconception that it only affects teenage girls and young women.
She said there was a wide range of reasons people gave about how they began experiencing anorexia.
"For some people, they'll definitely talk about preceding traumatic events or difficult life circumstances.
"But for other people, it'll be as a surprise to them as anybody else. Usually it starts with some sort of restriction of food intake - so, perhaps a diet, but possibly even an illness - some stress or something.
"They expect everything to go back to normal later and it just simply doesn't and they find themselves stuck."
She said for older people, their life circumstances were different so they would be more likely to be bringing up children, managing adult relationships and holding down a job.
Often, treatment options involve a family-based model that is more suitable for younger people and is aimed at the first two years since diagnosis.
It puts the family in charge of what the child is eating, not a suitable approach for someone in their 30s or 40s.
"People do things to help themselves, and we can very easily get in the habit of thinking that all the answers lie with clinicians whereas a lot of the time people are actually doing things that are useful, that are helpful and if we can build on that knowledge and that sort of insider knowledge then there may be some new pathways forward."
She said this included taking time out and treating themselves with kindness.
Those who wish to take part in the study, can fill out the anonymous online survey.
At the end of that they can volunteer to take part in a confidential interview, which is conducted over Skype.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (7pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 children's helpline (1pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-10pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
