Jonathan Mond|Phillipa Hay|Bradley M. Rodgers|Cathy Owen
Mental health literacy and eating disorders: What do women with bulimic eating disorders think and know about bulimia nervosa and its treatment?
La Trobe University|Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals|Western Sydney University|Australian National University|Australian National University
background aims attitudes beliefs concerning eating disorder bulimia nervosa bn examined community sample women n 158 bntype eating disordersmethod vignette presented describing fictional person meeting diagnostic criteria bn participants gave opinions range issues concerning nature treatment problem describedresults participants believed bn would difficult treat relapse would likely initial treatment successful primary care practitioners psychologists counsellors close friends perceived helpful treatment bn vast majority participants lifestyle changes including taking vitamins minerals also highly regarded whereas participants ambivalent benefits psychiatrists antipathetic towards use prescription medication participants believed bn common among women community many occasionally often thought might bad problem low selfesteem considered likely cause bnconclusions beliefs attitudes likely conducive low inappropriate treatment seeking exist among women bntype eating disorders community poor mental health literacy therefore needs addressed early intervention programs disorders health professionals need aware patients belief systems potential effects treatmentseeking adherence treatment