Many people are under the mistaken impression that men cannot develop health issues like bulimia, anorexia, and compulsive overeating. These life-threatening conditions are more commonly associated with women, but they actually affect males and females. In fact, the number of men dealing with eating disorders is increasing. Help is available for men with eating disorders.
A major stereotype currently suggests that eating disorders exist only in women. In truth, about one in every three people struggling with an eating disorder is male. Additionally, disordered eating behaviors like binge eating, purging, and laxative abuse are almost as common in men as they are in women.
Cultural bias means that many men who live with eating disorders will never seek treatment. Additionally, past assessment options have almost always been catered to eating disorders in women and adolescent girls. Even the materials used to raise awareness and education about eating disorders was marketed specifically toward women. Today, this is changing.
Formerly, a lot of research about eating disorders even excluded men. Now that we understand more about the impact of disordered eating on men, we are developing more effective ways to spot and treat these issues.
Are you unsure if you are suffering from an eating disorder? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, we recommend talking to a professional at Fairwinds Treatment Center:
A spouse is often the first person to spot a male eating disorder. The truth is that eating disorders can take a toll on any relationship. A spouse can spot an eating disorder by looking for signs of avoidance, especially when it comes to social events that might involve food. They may see that their husband has significantly increased exercise without increasing their food intake.
If you are somebody who has seen signs of disordered eating in your spouse, it is time to seek help. You can contact a specialist before you talk to your spouse to determine what help is available for both of you. In the meantime, you can boost your spouse’s self-esteem by discussing the non-physical characteristics you love about him. Always avoid pushing food on a loved one you suspect has a disorder.
New research about eating disorders for men and women has helped professionals understand the difference in symptoms they experience. For example, men with eating disorders are often older than women with eating disorders. Additionally, males with eating disorders may be more likely to engage in suicidal behaviors than females. Men are more likely to compensate binge eating with intense exercise than they are with other purging behaviors.
It is often more common for men to have muscle dysphoria, in which the idealized body type is large and muscular rather than thin. This is linked to the type of body society idealizes for men. Of course, men can still have some of the same specific eating disorders as women.
Anorexia nervosa is a condition in which an individual does not eat enough. For men, this can lead to sensitivity to cold, hair loss, brittle nails, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, extreme weight loss, constipation, and muscle loss or weakness. Somebody with this condition may talk about weight loss and food extensively, to the point that it interferes with socialization. Male anorexia may prompt men to become anxious to work out, even when it is not practical to do so, and men may engage in food rituals that look strange to others.
Bulimia nervosa includes repeated instances of binge eating followed by periods of purging. In this period of time, the individual may feel out of control. Purging may come in the form of using laxatives or diuretics. In men, this often involves extreme exercise. Symptoms specific to bulimia include tooth sensitivity and cavities brought on by frequent vomiting, headache, sore throats, swelling extremities, and bouts of constipation brought on by laxative misuse. Family members may spot purging behaviors, including a need to use the bathroom or head to the gym immediately after meals.
Eating disorder treatment may be a little different for men than for women. Professionals take into account the biological, social, and cultural needs of each patient to create a plan that works.
For example, hormones can play a significant role in eating disorder treatment for men. Anorexia in men may lead to the production of very low levels of hormones like testosterone, which means these men may be at higher risk for conditions like osteoporosis. Supplementing treatment with testosterone is often crucial for recovery.
Treating male eating disorders may involve medication for some patients with underlying issues. Antidepressants are commonly used to treat co-morbid depression, for example.
Psychotherapy is also important to address the issues surrounding these disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a common technique used to change behaviors by changing the thought process that surrounds them. The goal of CBT is to get to the root of the problem. For patients with eating disorders, this can involve boosting self-esteem and confidence as well.
Family-based treatment is often helpful for adolescent boys and young men who receive treatment for eating disorders. Family-based treatment, or FBT, addresses family dysfunction that may contribute to the chaos, stress, and anxiety that aisd compulsive and disordered eating practices. Since family dynamics often become clear during meals, some therapists may observe mealtime to get a better idea of how parents and other family members can support a loved one in recovery
For men, treatment also includes battling social stigmas surrounding male eating disorders. Interpersonal therapy and group therapy are often useful to address issues that may arise in this area.
When you enter treatment for an eating disorder, professionals first seek to address any significant health and psychiatric problems that could be life-threatening. They will then interrupt current disordered eating practices, like binge eating and purging, with the goal of establishing normalized eating behaviors. Therapy will then help you change your thought process and challenge unhealthy and unhelpful beliefs. After treatment, you may return to therapy to maintain healthy beliefs and behaviors surrounding food and exercise. You will also establish a plan to prevent relapse.
To treat eating disorders, professionals will perform a dual diagnosis screening to determine any underlying challenges, like stress and anxiety.
Often, people who require treatment for eating disorders also display signs of psychiatric disorders, like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Fairwinds Treatment Center is one of the only dually-licensed psychiatric and substance abuse treatment facilities in the country with accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This means we are uniquely positioned to address every challenge standing between patients and their recovery.
Males respond well to treatment. They typically gain weight at the same rate as female patients. Our therapeutic treatment program values gender diversity, and we see great strides in patient recovery for males and females.
If you are ready to discuss treatment for yourself or somebody you love, the Fairwinds admissions team is here to help.
Fairwinds Treatment Center is one of the top eating disorder treatment centers in the world. Our specialists, Dr. Khal El-Yousef and Dr. Pauline Powers, understand that male eating disorders are complex. Dr. El-Yousef is a leader in the field of dual diagnosis psychiatry and works with addiction medicine.
Dr. Powers is national and internationally recognized as a leading researcher, educator, and trainer in the field of eating disorder treatment. She has 40 years of experience fighting this issue and sits on the Scientific Board of Directors of the National Eating Disorders Screening Program and the Editorial Board of the Eating Disorders Review. She has also served as the founding President of the Academy for Eating Disorders, President of the National Eating Disorders Association, and founding member of the Eating Disorders Research Society.
Eating disorders often hide underlying psychological conditions, and our methods are clinically supported for men, women, and adolescents. We get to the root cause in addition to the physical recovery aspects.
Our treatment center in Clearwater, Florida, provides a unique and effective approach to psychological and emotional support. Members of our team know that each patient is fighting a personal battle, so we tailor our plan to the needs of each patient and his family. Our residential center is small and comfortable, providing the time you need to truly heal.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, you can’t waste any time. Contact Fairwinds Treatment Center today by phone or our online form to begin your journey toward recovery.
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