A side of eating disorders you may not have thought about

Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder - these have become household words. Perhaps you have even heard their nicknames, Ana, Mia, and BED. There is even Feeding or Eating Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified (FED-NEC). This sounds pretty all-inclusive doesn’t it? Think about the image of a person with an eating disorder that has subconsciously formed in your mind. She is young, smart, waif-like. She is probably quiet and an over-achiever. She tries to disappear into the background, and her self-esteem is abysmal. For all her quiet meekness, she is fiercely committed to and protective of her disorder, and she may well defend it to the death. It is her security; it is her friend; it is her pride; it is who she is. She, she, she…

What about males? Are they susceptible to the lies eating disorders tell? The answer is yes. Males suffer from anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder at alarming rates. A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School revealed that 25% of patients with anorexia are men, as are nearly half of binge eating disorder sufferers. Traditional estimates are only 10%-15%. Approximately 10 million American men will suffer with some form of eating disorder at some point in their lives.

Often the underlying issues, triggers, and personality traits are similar between men and women, as is their resistance to receiving treatment. Men however, face additional challenges to recovery. Because of the common misconception that eating disorders are the sole province of women, men often face the additional stigma of being perceived as unmanly for even having the disorder. In addition to the emotional issues that lie within the hearts of anyone battling an eating disorder, men can feel stripped of their masculinity and deep shame for seeking treatment.

While there are many similarities between males and females with eating disorders, there are some important differences to keep in mind as well. Generally males are older than females when they develop eating disorders, and are more often overweight prior to onset. Males also typically suffer with eating disorders for longer periods prior to diagnosis than females for a number or reasons. The first reason for this is that it is more socially acceptable for males to be overweight and have large appetites than it is for females. This makes it much easier for males to hide binge eating disorder and bulimia. The second reason is that men are much less often concerned with losing weight, and tend to be more focused on body shape and fat loss. They may seem somewhat obsessed with their general physical appearance, exercise excessively, and have a limited menu of “healthy” foods. Third is an issue that is very rare among females. Reverse anorexia causes men to believe they can never build enough muscle. They continue to bulk up through weight lifting, etc. in their quest to grow ever larger.

Eating disorders reportedly kill approximately 13.1% of those stricken. This number is likely far too low given the under-diagnosis and non-diagnosis of men. With increased awareness and eradication of associated stigmas, men can begin to feel more safe and supported as they work toward recovery.