Eating Disorders

Eating disorders have been commonly thought of as a teenage girl's disease.  Even now, many people find it hard to believe that eating disorders can also affect older women and children.  But what would you think if somebody told you that even men can be afflicted with the disease? 

You heard it right!  Men can be afflicted with eating disorders.  In fact, studies show that approximately 10% of those affected with the disease belong to the male population.  A higher figure can be reported if all the sufferers come out in the open and admit that they are afflicted with this disorder.  

As always, eating disorders are not an issue with food.  In fact, it has very little to do with it.  

The reason why men suffer from this condition is no different from those of teenage girls, older women and children.  Those afflicted with disordered eating habits are people who have hidden emotional problems or some guilty secrets they may wish to remain undisclosed.  

They may have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse some time in the past or they may have been unfortunately raised in a dysfunctional family.  Studies indicate that children raised in families where emotions are not encouraged to be expressed develop insecurities and emotional instability.  

It is quite possible that they may have some personality traits, which make them more susceptible to the disease.  Perfectionists, over achievers and those who put the needs of others before their own are at a great risk of contracting the disease.  People with low self-esteem, those who cannot and do not know how to convey their feelings and those who hate themselves for one reason or another, valid or otherwise, can also be likely candidates. 

Whatever the reason is for the onset of the disorder, sufferers use food and the control they exercise over their eating habits to temporarily numb their feelings and find a relief for the pain they feel inside.  

For example, anorexics may use the disease as a means to escape from their problems.  They usually find it easier to become so engrossed with counting calories and choosing the "right foods" rather than to face their emotional problems.  Bulimics, on the other hand, may resort to bingeing in order to release the negative energies that are welling up inside them.  Purging, on the other hand, brings them the needed relief from guilt. 

Men are not as pressured as their female counterparts to be thin.  This is perhaps the main reason why there are more women who suffer from the disease as compared to men.  To cope up with their problems, men would rather turn to work, alcohol and substance abuse.  In our society, it is the more "macho" way to go.  

Diagnosing eating disorders in males can be a very difficult challenge.  Men afflicted with bulimia, for example, would rather be obsessed with exercising or working out relentlessly in the gym rather than purge through any other means (vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics, etc.).  Men also find it difficult to accept that they have eating disorders for fear that others might think that they are gay.  In our society, straight men are thought of to be "immune" from eating disorders.  

Eating disorders can take control of a person's life.  They can trigger a lot of serious complications and may even put your very life at risk.  

Help someone in need.  If someone you know has this disorder, urge him to seek the help of a qualified health practitioner immediately.  Remember that the earlier the disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances are for recovery.