The term ‘eating disorder’ refers to a complex, potentially life-threatening condition, characterised by severe disturbances in eating behaviours.
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect men and women, at any age.
Eating disorders can be seen as a way of coping with emotional distress, or as a symptom of underlying issues.
It is a common misperception that eating disorders only affect women. The reality is that eating disorders affect both men and women, boys and girls.
When trying to understand and/or support a man with an eating disorder it can be helpful to be mindful that eating disorders can present in different ways in males and that there are certain risk factors that are more ‘male-oriented’ to be aware of. However, in terms of treatment and the recovery process, anyone experiencing an eating disorder needs help and support to embark on, and continue with, the journey of recovery.
There are many reasons why people develop eating disorders and often the combination of events, feelings and pressures is what leaves a person feeling unable to cope.
For men, specific risk factors include:
Some men may experience severe distress due to a form of body image disturbance known as Muscle Dysmorphia. A person with this disorder may become obsessed with the belief that they are not muscular enough, despite the fact that they may in fact be above average in terms of muscle mass. Often the person will engage in intensive over-exercising and other harmful behaviours in an effort to develop their physique.
Muscle dysmorphia is a very specific type of body dysmorphic disorder and should be addressed with the support of a medical professional.
The misconception that eating disorders are a 'female issue' can sometimes make it harder for a man to acknowledge to himself or others that there is a problem of this nature. This in turn can mean that a man is less likely to seek support and help for an eating disorder or related issue.
Combating this stigma with an understanding that an eating disorder is a serious mental health issue that develops for numerous reasons and is not just about food, weight and appearance, is the first step to being able to encourage and facilitate a man seeking out the help and support he needs to let this disorder go.
It is important to remember that the earlier treatment is sought, the earlier a person may move towards recovery.
All eating disorders involve physical, psychological, behavioural and emotional aspects and as such for treatment to be effective for both men and women, all of these need to be addressed in some way.
If you are concerned about taking the first step towards recovery, the non-judgmental support provided by Bodywhys services could be a helpful starting point.
Suggested websites with helpful sections for men:
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
www.b-eat.co.uk
www.edreferral.com
www.bulimia.com
www.mengetedstoo.co.uk
Suggested Reading:
Making Weigh: Men's Conflicts with Food, Weight, Shape and Appearance, Andersen, Cohen and Holbrook, Gurze Books, 2000, www.gurze.net
Fit to Die - Men and Eating Disorders, Anna Patterson, Lucky Duck Publishing, 2004, www.luckyduck.co.uk
Anorexia Nervosa: a Survival Guide for Families, Friends and Sufferers, Janet Treasure, Psychology Press, 1997
Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e): a Survival Kit for Sufferers of Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder, Ulrike Schmidt and Janet Treasure, Laurence Erlbaum Associates, 1993
Binge eating - Breaking the Cycle: a self help guide towards recovery, available from Bodywhys, 2006.
Males with Eating Disorders, Arnold Andersen, Brunner Mazel, Eating Disorders Monograph Series 4, 1990.