Research centre opens in Australia to transform diagnosis of eating disorders

Starting with research into perfectionism, genetics, trauma links, psilocybin and more

The Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre has been recently opened by the Australian Government at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre. Under a $13 million grant, the Centre aims to transform how to support, treat, and even cure people with eating disorders.

More than 1.2 million Australians are living with an eating disorder but less than a quarter receive evidence-based treatment. Eating disorders are a leading psychiatric cause of death, and have a profound impact on families and communities, but early signs are often missed.

The Centre will be led by Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders, an initiative of The University of Sydney and the New South Wales (NSW) government’s Sydney Local Health District, in partnership with a national consortium including lead partner Orygen.

Nine $25,000 startup grants were announced at the official opening by NSW Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor, supported by funding from the NSW government. The research projects under these grant will be working on Screening for eating disorders before and after pregnancy; The role of genetics in extreme and life-threatening avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID); Treating the trauma that underpins many eating disorders; Rethinking perfectionism, a parent-led cognitive behavioural therapy programme to support their children living with eating disorders.

Image credit- sydney.edu.au