Woman goes eight years without eating disorder help in small town

Key points

• A woman battled an eating disorder for eight years in a rural Victorian town, unable to seek help due to stigma and lack of services. She was diagnosed with atypical anorexia after moving to Melbourne.
• A 2026 report found that only three in 10 Victorians can access treatment, with regional areas lacking specialist services.
• Experts say more funding and workforce training are needed to improve care access in rural areas.