MEN'S EATING DISORDERS

We understand that males of all ages get eating disorders too. There are

many thousands of secret sufferers who find it hard to ask for help, or who perhaps don't even know that they may need support with a problem

relationship with food.

Men and even boys are concerned with how they look. There is not the same driving pressure for the size zero look which many women crave. At the same time, there is systematic exposure to media images of fit men, and there is increasing pressure for men to fight the flab and tone up.

Eating disorders are rife among male as well as female athletes in all kinds of sports, from soccer to gymnastics, marathon runners and wrestlers. Problems with food can begin when a man believes that he will perform better if he is thinner. We have known for a long time that jockeys are under real pressure to be thin. You might like to read our short extract from a study of weight control among jockeys.

But even ordinary boys can start to worry about their weight. Boys with weight problems can be teased and bullied too. No wonder that both men and women get the message that life is kinder when you are thin.

Is This You?

• You have lost a lot of weight and someone is concerned, but you are not.
  
• You throw up or take laxatives to prevent weight gain.
  
• You are obsessed with fitness and exercise. You feel like a bad person for even thinking of taking a day off.
  
• Nothing is as important as losing weight and/or increasing your fitness. Everything in your life is centred on food, exercise and weight.
  
• Either you binge eat compulsively or you avoid eating at all. You struggle to control your weight.
  
• You feel like a good, successful person if you are hungry.
  
• Your self esteem is poor and you are staying away from your friends.
  
• Your moods are very up and down, you are anxious and miserable.

Bigorexia

There is one kind of eating disorder / body image disorder which is special to males and this is when a man comes to believe that he is not big or strong enough. He begins to work obsessively to build muscle and lose fat.  Is this you? 

• Feeling flabby or too lean
• Comparing yourself continually to stronger, muscled men
• Going to the gym and working out obsessively in a number of ways
• Overdosing on protein and chaotic eating
• Taking steroids or body building supplements – or considering it
• Purging if you eat too many carbs or too much fat

Then you might be suffering from Bigorexia, having a disordered relationship with food and unable to relax and lead a normal life.

Answering YES to any of these questions might be a sign that you need some support. We have both male and female therapists who can understand your issues and will make no assumptions about who you are.

Finally, why not read our article on Eating Disorders in Males. Knowing the facts is often a good place to start.

The next step is to have a confidential personal assessment.

YES! I Would LIke An Assessment NOW