Free Eating Disorder Recovery Information Sheet Collection

In counselling rooms, school wellbeing offices, GP clinics or family discussions, a concise eating disorders handout can help explain key terms without overwhelming the person reading it. The sheet describes eating disorders as serious mental health conditions linked with concerns about body weight, shape, image and eating, and it notes common patterns such as food restriction, strict dietary rules, vomiting, medication misuse for weight control and excessive or driven exercise.

The content is arranged by diagnosis, with short sections on bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, OSFED and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, including details such as binge eating, compensatory behaviours, anorexia subtypes, atypical anorexia and ARFID presentations related to appetite, sensory aversion or fear of choking or vomiting. It may be useful for clinicians, youth workers, teachers, parents and carers looking for a printable eating disorder information sheet, psychoeducation handout or quick reference for teenagers and adults. Produced by the Centre for Clinical Interventions.

Greater understanding of binge eating patterns is the main support offered here, with clear wording for people trying to make sense of loss of control eating, binge episodes, overeating, food cravings, restriction and the restrict-binge cycle. The one-page information sheet defines objective binge eating, subjective binge eating and overeating, then gives key facts about how binge eating can happen, including episodes that are secret, planned, followed by purging or exercise, or repeated during a day.

Well suited to adults and older teenagers experiencing binge eating, as well as counsellors, eating disorder practitioners, dietitians and support workers, the handout can be used in therapy sessions, psychoeducation groups, health appointments or at home for reflection. It covers common triggers such as inadequate eating, rigid dietary rules, black-and-white thinking and distress, then outlines associated problems including disrupted hunger and fullness cues, guilt, shame, avoidance of difficult feelings and the way binge eating can keep an eating disorder going.

The Minnesota Starvation Experiment section gives a clear comparison between semi-starvation research and the lived experience of many people with eating disorders, showing how food restriction can lead to physical changes, emotional distress, impaired concentration, social withdrawal and preoccupation with food. The information sheet also explains that starvation syndrome can occur at any body weight when eating is limited, irregular or unbalanced, or when compensatory behaviours reduce energy absorption.

Clinicians, dietitians, mental health practitioners, support workers and families could use the handout to support psychoeducation about re-nourishment, weight restoration, regular eating and recovery from eating disorders. It may be helpful in sessions when someone is struggling to understand why symptoms such as fatigue, coldness, low mood, anxiety, binge urges, obsessive food thoughts or poor decision-making can improve over time with consistent and adequate nutrition.

Set point theory is the central theme of this eating disorder information sheet, explaining the idea that each person has a natural body weight range influenced by genetics, bone structure, metabolism and muscle composition. It describes how the body tries to regulate weight through hunger, food preoccupation, body temperature and metabolism, particularly when someone has been restricting food or has dropped below their natural weight range.

The handout is likely to be useful for teenagers or adults with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating patterns linked to restriction, or ongoing diet cycling, as well as parents, carers, psychologists, counsellors and dietitians offering eating disorder psychoeducation. It can be printed for therapy sessions, recovery discussions, family support or home reading, especially when exploring starvation syndrome, why diets do not work, weight restoration and body acceptance. The handout acknowledges input from the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service.

Clear explanations of genetics, dieting, starvation and brain changes can help parents, carers and clinicians talk about eating disorder risk without blame. The information sheet covers the science of eating disorders, the fact that there is no single cause, the role of inherited traits such as mood, anxiety, self-control, appetite, body weight and metabolism, and how stress, illness, dieting or weight loss can interact with genetic vulnerability.

Families supporting a young person with anorexia, restrictive eating, disordered eating or other eating difficulties could use it before appointments, during psychoeducation sessions, or as a shared handout at home. It explains how under-fuelling can affect decision-making, problem solving, emotion regulation, body perception and serotonin, then links recovery to re-nourishment, brain adaptation and learning new ways of thinking. The handout acknowledges the contribution of Professor Tracey Wade of Flinders University and the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service team.

In clinical conversations, family discussions or personal reflection, clear information about eating disorder health risks can make it easier to understand why regular medical monitoring matters. The information sheet explains physical complications linked with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, regular vomiting, laxative or diuretic use, rapid weight loss and malnutrition, including heart problems, electrolyte disturbances, low bone density, osteoporosis, dental erosion, gastrointestinal symptoms, reduced immunity and hormonal changes.

The layout is suitable for teenagers, adults, parents, carers, school wellbeing staff, counsellors, eating disorder clinicians, dietitians and GPs who need a concise printable handout for appointments, psychoeducation sessions or home reading. Practical sections describe warning signs such as dizziness, fainting, irregular heartbeat, blood in vomit, constipation, bloating, missed or irregular periods, fertility concerns and dental damage, alongside simple harm reduction advice after vomiting and reminders to seek medical review. The handout acknowledges contributions from dentist Dr Tim Lego and the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service.

Stigma around male eating disorders sits at the centre of this information sheet, alongside clear points about anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, disordered eating behaviours, body image concerns, muscularity, compulsive exercise, dieting, weight and shape worries. The sheet explains that eating disorders affect men as well as women, notes that around 25 to 40% of people with eating disorders are male, and outlines common experiences such as preoccupation with food, concerns about body shape and weight, medical complications, hormone disruption, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and reduced self-compassion.

Presented as a brief printable handout, it is likely to be most useful for men and boys who are questioning their relationship with food, exercise or body image, as well as parents, partners, GPs, counsellors, mental health practitioners and eating disorder clinicians. It can be used in appointments, therapy sessions, assessment conversations, health education, or at home to support recognition of warning signs, challenge the misconception that eating disorders only affect women, and encourage people to seek professional advice and treatment.

In everyday clinical conversations about eating disorders, atypical anorexia nervosa can be missed because the person is not technically underweight. This one-page eating disorder information sheet explains what Atypical AN is, how it overlaps with anorexia nervosa, and why it can still be medically and psychologically serious. It covers restrictive eating, anxiety about gaining weight, negative body image, self-worth tied to weight or shape, starvation syndrome, physical health problems, low mood, anxiety, stigma and reduced quality of life.

Parents, carers, adults experiencing symptoms, teenagers and young people, GPs, dietitians, counsellors and mental health practitioners may find it useful for psychoeducation, appointment preparation, family discussion or early conversations about seeking support. The handout outlines treatment needs such as physical renourishment, regular GP monitoring, nutritional support, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders for adults, and Family Based Treatment for Anorexia for young people, while also naming recovery goals such as building body acceptance, managing distress without eating disorder behaviours and increasing flexibility with eating and exercise.

People trying to make sense of binge eating disorder, BED symptoms and loss-of-control eating can use this one-page information sheet to understand what may be happening and what kind of help is usually recommended. It explains diagnostic features such as regular binge episodes, eating large amounts in a short time, feeling unable to stop, eating in secret, distress, shame and guilt, while also making a clear distinction between binge eating and ordinary overeating.

The handout is likely to be useful for adults experiencing binge eating, family members supporting someone with an eating disorder, and professionals such as counsellors, GPs, support workers or dietitians who want a printable psychoeducation sheet for conversations in appointments or therapy sessions. It covers physical and emotional impacts, the cycle of distress and self-criticism, CBT treatment for binge eating disorder, recovery benefits, regular eating, coping with uncomfortable feelings, and seeking specialist support, with acknowledgement to the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service team.

The three ARFID presentations section is especially useful for helping people recognise whether avoidant restrictive food intake disorder is linked to low interest in eating, fear of aversive consequences such as choking or vomiting, sensory sensitivities around taste, smell or texture, or a mixture of these. The handout also explains how ARFID differs from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, including the important point that food restriction is not driven by weight gain fears or body image concerns.

Families, parents, carers, teenagers, adults, GPs, clinical psychologists, dietitians and eating disorder practitioners could use this printable ARFID PDF to support psychoeducation at home, in clinics, in CAMHS or adult mental health settings, and in early conversations about referral. It covers possible causes, physical health impacts, psychological wellbeing, starvation syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, weight suppression, and CBT-AR treatment, giving a concise overview for people who need a straightforward explanation of ARFID symptoms, recovery support and when to seek professional help.

Having the treatment expectations in one place can make the first appointments feel more predictable for people beginning eating disorder therapy. The handout outlines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for eating disorders, the collaborative role of the clinician and client, and the practical parts of treatment such as weekly open weighing, daily food and feelings monitoring, regular attendance, active behaviour change, medical check-ins and the possibility of hospital or higher support if outpatient treatment is not enough.

The structure is clearly set out from early treatment, through regular reviews and middle-phase work, to ending treatment and relapse prevention. It is most suited to clients entering CBT for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or other disordered eating patterns, and to clinical psychologists, eating disorder teams, dietitians or doctors who want a printable orientation sheet to discuss in sessions. Produced by the Centre for Clinical Interventions, with acknowledgement of contribution from the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service.

Clients in eating disorder treatment, along with therapists, dietitians and mental health practitioners supporting them, are the clearest audience for this self-monitoring handout. It explains why accurate, honest, real-time food and drink records matter in therapy, especially for noticing eating patterns, emotional triggers, compensatory behaviours and the thoughts that can keep an eating disorder going.

The sheet sets out how to complete a self-monitoring record, with prompts for time, food and liquid intake, location, binge episodes, vomiting, laxative use, situations, thoughts, feelings and exercise. A completed example shows how entries might look across a day, making it useful as a printable eating disorder food diary, therapy monitoring form or session discussion tool. The handout acknowledges the contribution of the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service team.

A steadier, less fear-driven approach to weight monitoring is the main support offered here, particularly for people recovering from eating problems who either avoid the scales completely or check their weight many times a day. The information sheet explains common problems with avoiding weighing, including increased fear, overestimating the meaning of weight changes, and missing chances to practise coping with difficult emotions.

The sheet also covers frequent weighing, daily weight fluctuations, water balance, food and fluid intake, hormones, salt, bowel and bladder changes, and how normal 1 to 2 kg shifts can be misread as meaningful weight gain or loss. It is likely to be useful for adults, teenagers, therapists, dietitians, eating disorder clinicians and support people who want a simple printable handout for CBT-style sessions, psychoeducation, relapse prevention or home support around weekly weighing routines.

Use it in CBT sessions, eating disorder therapy, anxiety work or at home to help someone spot the small behaviours they rely on to feel safe. The sheet defines safety behaviours, explains that the reason behind the behaviour matters more than the behaviour itself, and gives clear examples linked to fears, including public transport anxiety, fear of contamination, dry mouth and choking worries, and repeated weighing linked to fear of losing control of weight.

The information is especially suited to adults, older teenagers, therapy clients and practitioners working with eating disorders, social anxiety, health anxiety, OCD-type fears or avoidance patterns. It also explains why safety behaviours can keep anxiety going by stopping people from testing fears, becoming self-fulfilling prophecies, being wrongly credited when fears do not happen, and increasing self-focused attention, with a useful prompt: how anxious would I feel if I could not do this?

Use it in an eating disorder therapy session, dietetic appointment, recovery group, or as a take-home handout for someone rebuilding a healthier relationship with food. The sheet covers regular eating, how much to eat, the six food groups, suggested daily serves, macronutrient balance, and the role of enjoyment foods such as cake, chocolate or crisps within normal, non-disordered eating.

People recovering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, restrictive eating, orthorexic patterns or other disordered eating behaviours may find it useful, especially older teenagers and adults who feel unsure what balanced eating looks like. It also supports parents, carers, counsellors, psychologists and dietitians by giving clear language around flexible eating, reasons for eating, and why treatment meal plans may look different from intuitive recovered eating. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, is acknowledged as a contributor.

Clients in eating disorder recovery, people struggling with binge eating or restrictive eating, and professionals supporting them may find this one-page handout useful for making sense of the diet cycle. It explains why diets often fail, how strict food rules such as ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘cheat’ and ‘guilt’ can fuel all-or-nothing thinking, and how deprivation can lead to cravings, food noise, exhaustion, overeating or binge episodes.

The sheet is structured around short sections on what a diet is, semi-starvation, the consequences of semi-starvation, rigid rules, and escaping the vicious cycle of dieting. It can be printed for therapy sessions, dietetic appointments, psychoeducation groups or personal reflection at home, especially when discussing normal eating, regular meals, flexible food guidelines and recovery from disordered eating. The handout acknowledges the contribution of Kate Fleming, Dietician.

Print it for meal planning before a therapy, dietetic or support session, or keep it on hand at home as a reminder when trying to rebuild consistent eating habits. The sheet explains what regular eating means in eating disorder recovery, including eating roughly every three hours, using 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks, and beginning with a simple structure such as breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and an evening snack or supper.

Content is especially relevant for people receiving treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, purging behaviours, delayed eating, grazing or restrictive eating patterns, as well as clinicians, dietitians, counsellors and family supporters helping someone establish a recovery meal routine. It covers the benefits of regular meals and snacks, the 3 Ps of Plan, Prepare and Prioritise, tips such as avoiding gaps of more than 4 hours, carrying snacks, getting back on track after missed meals, and drinking enough water without using fluids to avoid eating. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, and the WAEDOCS team are acknowledged for their contribution.

A steadier eating routine is the main support offered here, with simple eating disorder recovery guidance for people practising regular, adequate meals after restriction, dieting behaviours or disrupted eating patterns. The sheet sets out ten concise dietary guidelines, including 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks about three hours apart, mechanical eating, planning ahead, the Thirds Rule for lunch and dinner, and keeping an eye on fluid intake.

People recovering from an eating disorder, as well as carers, family members, dietitians, therapists and support workers, could use it as a printable meal support prompt at home, in appointments or during supported eating. It also names common recovery traps such as fillers, volume eating and diet foods, while encouraging fun foods, essential fatty acids, extra food around exercise, and staying with a trusted person for an hour after meals. Contributions are acknowledged from dieticians Caitlin McMaster and Susan Hart, and the WAEDOCS team.

The credibility checklist in the evaluating information section gives five practical questions for checking nutrition advice, diet tips and health information before acting on it. It looks at whether the author has a legitimate qualification, whether they are selling a product or service, whether the advice matches reputable sources such as government guidelines or universities, whether it is up to date, and whether claims are backed by reliable research rather than personal stories or one-off studies.

Useful for people in eating disorder recovery, parents and carers supporting someone with food anxiety, and clinicians such as psychologists, GPs or dietitians, the sheet also explains confirmation bias in online searches and suggests more balanced ways to search for dietary advice. It can be printed for therapy sessions, recovery work, health education or home discussion when someone is trying to make sense of conflicting messages about carbohydrates, weight gain, exercise, nutrition, dieting, influencers and online wellness claims.

Trying to explain why someone in eating disorder recovery may need more food than expected can be difficult, and this handout gives clear language for that conversation. It is a one-page eating disorders information sheet about metabolism, covering how the body turns food into energy, what energy is used for, basal metabolic rate, digestion, movement, growth, repair and the effects of dieting, fasting, food restriction and weight loss on metabolic rate.

People recovering from anorexia, bulimia, OSFED or restrictive eating, as well as parents, carers, dietitians, therapists and school or health professionals, may find it useful to print for appointments, psychoeducation, meal support or home discussion. The recovery section explains hypermetabolism, increased energy needs, body repair and why regular eating every 3 to 4 hours can matter; the sheet acknowledges contributions from dietitians Kate Fleming, Susan Hart and Caitlin McMaster, with the WAEDOCS team.

In an eating disorder recovery appointment, meal planning session or supported conversation at home, the REAL Food Pyramid can help make balanced eating feel more structured and less driven by restriction, fear foods or diet rules. The handout explains the Recovery from Eating Disorders for Life Food Pyramid and shows how everyday food groups fit into a recovery-focused eating plan, including carbohydrates for energy and blood glucose stability, protein for body repair, calcium for bone health, fruit and vegetables, fluids, nuts, oils and fats, fun foods, and diet foods or fillers.

The layout is useful for adults, teenagers, carers, eating disorder clinicians and dietitians looking for an eating disorder food pyramid, recovery meal planning handout, anorexia nutrition worksheet, bulimia recovery food guide or balanced eating information sheet. It gives practical food examples such as cereals, rice, bread, meat, tofu, yoghurt, avocado, nuts, chocolate, biscuits and diet drinks, while also highlighting common recovery issues such as excessive vegetables, low-fat calcium choices, fluid restriction or overuse, and avoiding feared foods. The handout acknowledges contributions from dietitians Susan Hart and Caitlin McMaster, and the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service team.

People can quickly compare everyday portions with clear serving size examples, such as one slice of bread, half a cup of cooked pasta or rice, a palm-sized piece of meat, one cup of leafy greens, one medium piece of fruit, or one cup of milk. The handout gives minimum recommended daily serves across six main food groups, while also acknowledging that needs vary by age, gender, activity level, body size, treatment stage and whether weight restoration is part of eating disorder recovery.

Best suited to people recovering from an eating disorder, as well as dietitians, therapists, carers and support workers helping with meal planning, normal eating routines and food portion education. It can be printed for appointments, kept at home as a visual reminder, or used in sessions to discuss balanced eating, food variety, portion sizes, dietary serves and flexible inclusion of foods such as cake, chocolate, hot chips or ice cream. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, and the WAEDOCS team are acknowledged for their contribution.

The “Why Do We Need Carbohydrates?” section explains the role of carbs in fuelling the brain and body, protecting muscle tissue, supporting gut health, helping hydration, and contributing to serotonin-linked mood, sleep and appetite signals. It also covers the three main types of carbohydrates, the meaning of glycaemic index or GI, how much carbohydrate is generally needed, and common carbohydrate myths linked to weight gain, low carb diets and eating carbs in the evening.

Designed as a printable eating disorder information sheet, it is likely to be useful for dietitians, therapists, school nurses, parents, carers, teenagers and adults working on eating disorder recovery or more balanced eating. It can be used in sessions or at home to challenge fear of carbohydrates, support psychoeducation about normal eating, and talk through the possible effects of low carbohydrate intake, including fatigue, gut changes, low mood and poor concentration. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, and the WAEDOCS team are acknowledged contributors.

The “Problems with Calorie Counting” section explains how calorie tracking can increase obsession, control, anxiety, guilt and rigid thinking around food. It also covers why calorie limits are often inaccurate, how eating by numbers can interfere with hunger and fullness cues, and why strict restriction may affect nutrition, energy levels and eating disorder recovery.

People recovering from an eating disorder, clients trying to reduce food tracking, dietitians, therapists and mental health professionals could use the handout in sessions or at home to start a conversation about moving away from calorie apps, menu numbers and food labels. Practical tips include deleting or limiting tracking tools, choosing foods based on enjoyment, blocking restrictive eating content, and gradually spending less time focusing on calorie numbers. The handout acknowledges input from the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service.

People who are feeling trapped by strict food rules can use this printable clean eating handout to recognise when healthy eating has become inflexible or harmful. It explains what extreme clean eating can look like, including cutting out foods or whole food groups, avoiding foods seen as unhealthy, and becoming preoccupied with nutrition research, meal planning or eating perfectly.

The sheet covers physical health risks, mental health effects, mood changes, guilt, anxiety, social withdrawal and the strain strict eating can place on relationships. It includes a self-reflection checklist of warning signs, plus practical steps such as returning to balanced flexible eating, using dietary guidelines, limiting nutrition research and seeking support from a dietitian, GP or psychologist. It is most suited to adults and older teenagers concerned about orthorexia, disordered eating or rigid healthy eating, as well as clinicians, eating disorder workers and family members supporting someone with these patterns. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, and the WA Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service are acknowledged as contributors.

A printable one-page iron handout helps people quickly see which foods contain iron, how much may be absorbed, and what can make low iron or iron deficiency more likely. It covers daily iron requirements for children, teenagers, adult men, adult women and pregnant women, explains haem iron and non-haem iron, and includes practical food examples such as red meat, breakfast cereals, beans, tofu, spinach, raisins, fish and chicken.

The layout is useful for dietitians, eating disorder clinicians, GPs, school nurses, parents and carers supporting someone with restrictive eating, a poorly balanced vegetarian or vegan diet, regular periods, pregnancy, tiredness, dizziness or other possible low iron symptoms. It can be printed for appointments, meal planning conversations or home use, with sections on symptoms, risk factors, foods that increase iron absorption, foods that reduce absorption, and when to discuss an iron supplement with a medical practitioner. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, and the WAEDOCS team are acknowledged in the handout.

Use it in nutrition education sessions, meal planning conversations or at home as a straightforward reminder of how fats fit into eating disorder recovery and general health. The sheet covers why fat is needed in the diet, including essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, protection for organs, hormone production, skin and brain health, satisfaction after meals and reproductive health.

Clear sections explain saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fats, trans fats and cholesterol, with food examples such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, oily fish, dairy foods, meat and cooking oils. A practical five-point checklist suggests adding spreads to bread, using cooking oils, including full-fat calcium-rich foods, adding nuts, seeds or olives to meals, and eating a varied diet. It is particularly suited to adults, teenagers and carers working with eating disorder recovery, as well as dietitians and therapists supporting clients who fear fat or avoid higher-fat foods. The handout acknowledges contributions from dietitians Caitlin McMaster, Susan Hart and Kate Fleming, with the WAEDOCS team.

Clinicians, dietitians, therapists and clients in eating disorder treatment who are considering vegetarian, vegan or plant-based eating may find this handout useful for discussion and reflection. It explains what vegetarian and vegan diets involve, why people may choose them, and how these choices can sometimes overlap with restrictive eating, food avoidance, weight and shape concerns, or eating disorder recovery.

The handout includes prompts about when vegetarian or vegan eating began, whether it may be functioning as a way to restrict food, and when suspending the diet during treatment may need to be considered. It also outlines practical nutrition points for dairy-free, meat-free or vegan diets, including calcium, protein, iron, vitamin B12, iodine, selenium and vitamin D, with examples of plant-based and fortified food sources. Kate Fleming and the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service are acknowledged for their contribution.

In eating disorder sessions, GP appointments, dietetic work or family discussions, the sheet can be used to talk through whether exercise is restorative or harmful. It is particularly suited to adults and older teenagers recovering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or disordered eating where compulsive exercise, excessive exercise, over-exercising, calorie compensation or rigid movement routines may be part of the picture.

The handout covers key reflection questions, signs of unhelpful exercise, consequences such as cardiovascular, bone, reproductive, muscular and metabolic issues, and Australian physical activity guidance with cautions for eating disorder recovery. It also includes practical tips on checking energy, soreness and enjoyment, protecting meals and snacks after exercise, taking rest days, seeking GP monitoring, and asking for professional support when reducing exercise brings guilt, anxiety or low mood. It acknowledges the contribution of Alanah Dobinson, Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

In everyday eating disorder support, conversations about vomiting and purging can be difficult, especially when someone feels it is a way to undo eating or control weight. This one-page information sheet explains how regular self-induced vomiting can affect teeth, salivary glands, the oesophagus, digestion, hunger and fullness cues, electrolytes, mood, relationships and general health.

The handout also challenges two common myths: that vomiting removes the calories eaten and that it prevents weight gain. It describes why purging can reinforce binge eating, overeating and the binge-purge cycle, then gives simple dental care steps such as waiting before brushing, rinsing with fluoride mouthwash or baking soda and water, and using high-fluoride toothpaste. It is most suited to adults or teenagers experiencing eating disorder behaviours, carers, GPs, dentists, counsellors and eating disorder clinicians who want a clear psychoeducation sheet for appointments, therapy sessions or home reflection.

The myth-busting section addresses common beliefs about laxatives, including the idea that they cause weight loss, relieve bloating or constipation, or create a sense of control. It explains that laxatives act after food has already been absorbed, that weight changes are usually linked to temporary fluid loss, and that long-term laxative misuse can worsen constipation, bloating, pain, gas and reliance on laxatives.

The handout also covers health risks such as electrolyte imbalance, disruption of normal bowel function, chronic constipation, colon damage, kidney problems, rectal bleeding and urinary tract infections, with a clear warning about senna-based laxatives. It is likely to be useful for people with eating disorders or disordered eating, older teenagers and adults in recovery, carers, GPs, dietitians, counsellors and eating disorder practitioners who want a concise psychoeducation handout for appointments, therapy sessions, meal support planning or home reading. Produced by the Centre for Clinical Interventions, with acknowledgement of WAEDOCS.

In therapy, dietetic appointments or at home during meal support, this eating disorders gastrointestinal problems handout can help explain why digestive symptoms often increase during recovery. It covers bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, abdominal pain, early fullness, gastric reflux, nausea and vomiting, with clear links to starvation, malnutrition, underuse of the gut, delayed gastric emptying, electrolyte imbalance and irregular food intake.

People recovering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or other eating disorders, as well as parents, carers, eating disorder clinicians and dietitians, may use it to support conversations about renourishment and normalising food intake. The sheet also explains why laxative misuse can worsen bowel problems and suggests simple coping options, such as using a hot water bottle or distraction after eating, while encouraging professional medical advice for ongoing concerns. Produced with acknowledgement of the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service.

Clear support for protecting bone strength is provided through a one-page calcium and bone health handout aimed at people affected by eating disorders, particularly adolescents, teenagers and adults with restricted intake, low weight or anorexia nervosa. It explains how inadequate calcium intake can affect bones, why puberty and early adulthood matter for peak bone density, and how malnutrition and hormonal changes may increase the risk of osteoporosis, fragile bones, fractures, chronic pain and reduced height potential.

The sheet is structured into short sections on nutrition, exercise and calcium supplements, followed by daily calcium requirements and a practical food table listing calcium amounts in milk, yoghurt, cheese, tofu, calcium-enriched soy drink, sardines, almonds, white beans and broccoli. It can be printed for eating disorder treatment sessions, dietetic appointments, family discussions or home meal planning, especially for carers, parents, dietitians and clinicians helping someone increase calcium intake safely. Kate Fleming, Dietician, and the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service are acknowledged as contributors.

Use it in eating disorder appointments, GP consultations, dietetic sessions or therapy work to support clear psychoeducation about weight suppression, under-nutrition and hormonal changes. The information sheet explains how disordered eating, compensatory behaviours such as excessive exercise, and low or unstable body weight can affect metabolism, reproductive hormones, fertility, pregnancy, osteoporosis risk, thyroid hormones, stress hormones, appetite, puberty and growth.

The handout is likely to be most useful for adults, teenagers, parents, carers and health professionals looking for printable eating disorder information about hormones, missing periods, low libido, fertility concerns, bone density or pregnancy with an eating disorder history. It sets out key signs in females and males, notes that fertility may return unexpectedly, and encourages people to seek medical guidance for individual advice.

In antenatal conversations, eating disorder recovery can bring up very practical questions about body changes, appetite, morning sickness, exercise, weight gain and nutrition. The information sheet explains why pregnancy can feel especially vulnerable for someone with a current or past eating disorder, including changes in body shape, increased hunger, vomiting or food aversions, comments from other people, and limits around exercise.

The handout also covers potential risks for mother and baby, changing nutritional needs across pregnancy and breastfeeding, normal contributors to pregnancy weight gain, and support options such as regular GP care, antenatal and postnatal appointments, dietetic input and psychological support. It may be useful for pregnant women, people hoping to become pregnant, midwives, GPs, dietitians, psychologists and eating disorder practitioners who want a clear information sheet to use in appointments, therapy sessions, maternity care or at home. Kate Fleming, Dietitian, is acknowledged as a contributor.

Print it for psychoeducation in eating disorder therapy, body image work, counselling sessions or guided self-help, especially with older teenagers and adults who avoid situations because of worries about appearance, weight, shape or size. The handout lists common body avoidance behaviours, including avoiding certain clothes, mirrors, physical closeness, self-care, clothes shopping, exercise, socialising and eating in public.

The sheet explains five ways avoidance can become unhelpful: fears are not tested, negative body beliefs are maintained, anxiety can spread, positive experiences are missed, and the body cannot be avoided altogether. It then introduces exposure experiments, including either tackling bigger fears directly or taking a gradual step-by-step approach, making it useful for therapists, eating disorder clinicians, dietitians, support workers and people doing body image recovery work at home.

In therapy sessions, eating disorder treatment, dietetic appointments or at home between appointments, this body checking behaviours information sheet can help adults and older teenagers recognise habits that keep body anxiety going. It explains common forms of body checking and body comparison, including mirror checking, frequent weighing, pinching or scanning body parts, measuring, comparing with social media images, testing clothing fit and asking others for reassurance.

The sheet outlines why these behaviours can become unhelpful, covering their impact on body dissatisfaction, mood, self-worth, relationships, time, enjoyment and the eating disorder cycle. It also gives practical reduction steps, such as identifying checking behaviours, tracking frequency and intensity, choosing two or three behaviours to change, setting goals to reduce, limit, stop or postpone the behaviour, starting gradually and acknowledging progress.

The prompts on identifying liked body parts, focusing on body function, and evaluating body beliefs as if you were a scientist or lawyer give the sheet a practical CBT feel. It explains body image as a relationship with the body, outlines how body dissatisfaction can show up emotionally, cognitively and behaviourally, and names common patterns such as mirror checking, weighing, measuring, comparison, avoidance, driven exercise, restricting food and “feeling fat”.

It is likely to be most useful for people in eating disorder recovery, adults or older teens struggling with body image anxiety, and clinicians such as therapists, counsellors and dietitians who want a brief printable body acceptance PDF for sessions. The strategies encourage working with genetics, reducing body checking and body avoidance, expanding life beyond appearance, practising kinder self-talk, and choosing activities that feel good in the body.

Media literacy is the central skill in this eating disorders information sheet, with clear prompts for questioning social media posts, adverts, edited images and body ideals. It explains how exposure to media and advertising can affect body image and self-esteem, why comparison with idealised bodies can be harmful, and how filters, lighting, make-up, camera angles, digital alteration and AI can create unrealistic images.

The handout is most suited to young people, teenagers, students and adults exploring body image concerns, especially in counselling, eating disorder support, school wellbeing lessons or conversations at home. Practitioners, teachers, parents and carers could use it to start discussion about social media pressure, beauty standards, male and female body ideals, confidence, dissatisfaction and critical thinking about online content. It acknowledges the contribution of the Western Australia Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service.

In eating disorder therapy sessions, dietetic appointments, counselling work, or a quiet moment at home, this printable information sheet can help older teenagers and adults recognise common cognitive distortions linked with eating, weight, shape and self-worth. It explains unhelpful thoughts including catastrophising, black and white thinking, shoulding and musting, overgeneralisation, disqualifying the positives, mental filter, jumping to conclusions, personalisation and labelling.

Each thinking style is described in plain language and paired with an eating disorder related example, such as fears about gaining weight, assumptions about being judged for eating, guilt after bingeing, or rigid food rules around carbohydrates. It may be useful for CBT practitioners, counsellors, dietitians, support workers and carers who want a simple handout to support psychoeducation, thought diary work, recovery planning, or discussion about eating disorder thoughts and thinking errors.

Clients, therapy service users and mental health practitioners are the people most likely to find this AI and mental health handout useful, particularly when discussing safe use of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, Copilot, online self-help tools, reassurance seeking and digital wellbeing. The handout explains what AI is in simple language, describes how conversational AI works without thinking or feeling, and sets out practical ways it may support learning, organisation, problem solving, journalling, task planning, exposure hierarchies and routines between therapy sessions.

The content also gives clear cautions about hallucinations, inaccurate information, privacy, bias, over-reliance, emotional validation and using AI as a safety behaviour. It includes sections on when AI is not appropriate for mental health support, such as therapy replacement, diagnosis, treatment planning, major life decisions or crisis situations, followed by brief tips for safer use, including checking trusted sources, asking for evidence and avoiding personal identifying details.