How Common Are Eating Disorders In Men?
Eating disorders are one of the most stereotyped mental health issues. Society has an idea of who develops an eating disorder: young women, driven by a desire to conform to beauty standards. In reality, anyone can suffer from an eating disorder.
Men can also struggle deeply with their body image and attitudes toward food. It’s important to recognize the signs of eating disorders in men to help them seek the right treatment and develop healthier ideas about their bodies.
The Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Men
Historically, eating disorders have been viewed as predominantly affecting women. However, recent research indicates that these disorders are more common in men than we previously thought. According to new research, roughly one in three people with an eating disorder is male. Studies also suggest that about 10 million men in the United States will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Men are affected by the same eating disorders as women: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, orthorexia, and others. But because men are less likely to admit to disordered eating behaviors and rarely seek treatment, eating disorders remain less diagnosed and less reported in men.
Barriers to Treatment
There is still a huge social stigma for men to seek help for an eating disorder. For many, getting treatment means feeling like they’re “weak” or “unmanly.” Men are less likely to admit they struggle with body image issues or with their mental health. They may not have a support network of people they trust with talking about their feelings. Men may also hesitate to see medical professionals.
There’s also a stigma surrounding what can cause eating disorders, which compounds the problem. Men tend to under-report their past traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, or bullying. Studies show sexual abuse in particular has a strong link to the development of an eating disorder down the line.
Signs of Eating Disorders in Men
While the behaviors of restricting, bingeing, and purging are similar across all demographics of those with eating disorders, men may manifest their symptoms differently. They tend to focus on their muscular physique rather than just on losing weight. Symptoms of eating disorders in men include:
obsession with gaining muscle mass
excessive exercise or spending hours in the gym
strict dieting or calorie counting
using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs
using laxatives without a medical reason
judging others on their size, muscle mass, or shape
making frequent negative comments about his body
overeating or restricting food in response to stress
mood swings and irritability
difficulty concentrating
diminished sex drive
dizziness
sleep disturbances
fatigue and lack of energy
stomachaches and constipation
tooth decay
loss of muscle mass
Getting help
If you’re a man and you think you might have an eating disorder, there is no shame in getting help. Eating disorders can have lifelong complications and even lead to death. It’s important to act quickly once you accept you have a problem.
Build a support system
Trust in the people closest to you. Talk about your struggles with food and mental health. Let them know you need support, reassurance, and validation right now. Look online or in your area for support groups for men with eating disorders. If possible, try to have healthy conversations about masculinity and what it means to you.
Talk to a therapist
Depending on the progression of the eating disorder, you may need to get immediate treatment under full medical supervision. In the long term, therapy can help you change your attitudes toward food and yourself, deal with past trauma, and cope with life’s stressors without resorting to restriction or bingeing.
To find out more about how eating disorder therapy can help men heal from eating disorders, please reach out to us.
