It may come as a surprise to many, but the fact is that 5% of the total anorexics in America are men. It is mistakenly believed that this disorder is limited only to females, since the stereotypical male is skinny, but well built and powerful. In fact, the number of men who are being diagnosed with anorexia is increasing at an alarming rate.

Males with anorexia nervosa have certain things in common including not liking the way their body looks, excessive body fat, over exercising, confusion about their sexual orientation, social inaptness, obsessive compulsive disorder, problems with conduct and low self-esteem. Unlike women, men are less likely to seek help for anorexia. It also seems that many men who are in athletic careers like horseracing and running are overly concerned about their body weight for obvious reasons. As a matter of fact, a study done by D. Blake Woodside, MD of the University of Toronto shows that men have not identified themselves as affected by anorexia or seek treatment for it. Dr. Woodside?s study showed that twice as many women as men had eating disorders, but there were more men affected than expected, suggesting that the amount of men suffering from the disease may be higher than the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders currently estimates.

Men and women usually share the same symptoms when it comes to Anorexia Nervosa. They are usually anxious, depressed, have phobias and panic disorders and rely heavily on drugs and alcohol. ‘They are basically very unhappy with their lives,’ according to Woodside.

Another interesting fact that has been noted in similar reports is that gay men seem to account for a large percentage of men who suffer from anorexia. Dr Woodside feels that this may be because gay men may be more likely to seek help for the problem than their heterosexual counterparts.

By: Alison Cole

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Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves and treatment of anorexia is difficult, because people with this disease believe there is nothing wrong with them. Anorexia is one type of eating disorder and another is bulimia. Both are applicable to men but much more common for women. Preteens, girls especially, can develop a serious eating disorder. Eating disorders may begin in children as young as 8 years old.

People with eating disorders really do harmful things to their bodies because of their obsession about their weight. The most widely and rapidly spreading eating disorder is compulsive overeating or binge eating disorder. There are three types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and ED-NOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified). Anorexia is a mental illness, it usually is about a control issue.

If you are on this web site then you probably already know what anorexia is. In one example anorexia is described as a way of gaining attention. It is for sure a condition that leads to problems with eating. The most common form of anorexia is simply satiation following the consumption of food. Central to persons in this condition is an abnormal fear of gaining weight.

If you are suffering from most of the symptoms of anorexia, but not really severely or really that noticed, you need medical help anyway. There are also some very unusual symptoms like pregnancy symptoms. Angina symptoms can also be common. Primarily though is the sudden interest in weight loss, food, calories etc. You can have The Eating Attitudes Test which gives an index of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa.

There are many treatment centers for persons with eating disorder, but enough. So although eating disorders are rampant in our society, yet few states in the nation have adequate programs or services to combat anorexia nervosa and bulimia. As up to 10 million teens develop eating disorders, abnormal attitudes and behaviors with foods, which include anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders that are literally killing youngsters and adults.

To get a proper treatment you should search for institutions with an Eating Disorders Intensive Counseling Treatment Program to treat these eating disorders. Some also offer Specialized Adolescent Eating Disorder Programs including help for their parents. In spite of all the treatment available there remain a small number, usually girls, who die from this condition despite energetic and expert treatment.

The sooner the treatment is started, the better the chance of recovery. Remember you can make a difference by helping a friend confront her illness and seek treatment. Successful treatment of anorexia requires that the patient´s symptoms be egodystonic enough for the patient to be motivated to do something about them.

What is appropriate treatment when a person with an eating disorder is also a substance abuser. Some commentators have spoken out against psychiatric treatment of anorexia nervosa in general and, in particular, against compulsory treatment. Treatment of anorexia nervosa is often quite complicated the patient must want to change and must have family and friends to help them.

The motivation for anorexia is the mirror, how do I look. So the best you can say to a person with anorexia is “You don´t look healthy”.

By: Louise Wasa

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Poppy asked:


I was wanting to be an Occupational Therapist because I didn’t really know what else to do but now realize that working with people with eating disorders is something I would love to get into.

What is the title of the workers there? I realize there is probably a doctor and a psychologist but what else?