We snuck into the annual Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) conference to illuminate the future of eating disorder diagnosis and care. We recorded on-site at the conference, where we asked various speakers to give us a taste of their research for the sake of all those who’d be interested but couldn’t be there.

Segment 1: Reviewing current treatment approaches
Dr. Anthea Fursland, a distinguished clinical psychologist for the past 40 years, shares a candid perspective on the strides made in treatment, especially for Anorexia Nervosa, but offers insights about the gap between new understandings and legacy approaches to care.

Segment 2: NDIS engagement for people with eating disorders
Hilary Smith, a National Manager at the National Eating Disorder Collaboration (NEDC), talks about what may be required and what we still need to know for people with eating disorders to access support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Segment 3: Body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic surgery
The point where body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic surgery intersect is where researcher Dr Toni Pikoos does much of her work. She’s been deeply involved in crafting new, enforceable guidelines to protect the psychological safety of patients. 

Segment 4: The possibility of laws to protect body image
Marilyn Bromberg is an Associate Professor of Law at UWA and an expert on laws that discourage content researchers understand to negatively impact body image. While there is some precedent in other parts of the world, we can do more in Australia. 

Segment 5: Dealing with an eating disorders crisis and emergency care
Mental health occupational therapist Genevieve Pepin presented on “Eating disorders, carers, and the emergency department: A recipe for disaster.” It’s a carer’s worst nightmare, and Genevieve tells us just how bad it can get and how we can make the experience less traumatic for families.

This is the first of two episodes covering the conference. Look out for Part 2 in October 23. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ANNUAL ANZAED CONFERENCE

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANTHEA FURSLAND

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NEDC’S WORK AROUND THE NDIS

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TONI PIKOOS

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MARILYN BROMBERG

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GENEVIEVE PEPIN

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