Although the diseases we know as eating disorders today often afflict women, it is a true fact that eating disorders do not discriminate for any criteria. It does not matter how old someone is, what their sexual orientation is, what race they are, or what gender they are. Eating disorders affect everyone. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, or feel like you are watching someone fade away right in front of your eyes, here are some key signs to look for to see if you or someone you know could benefit from the life saving effects of Male Eating Disorder Treatment.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the AAP released a 2010 report that shows that the need for male eating disorder treatment is on the rise. Typically it is estimated that male eating disorders account for as many as ten percent of all diagnosed eating disorders. Many professionals say that this number is widely underestimated, as men are even less likely than women to seek treatment for these deadly conditions.
Adolescent women are the highest demographic as far as those who suffer the most, and a lot of the research and treatment options are geared towards this group. Even though this is a group that we should not ignore, we still need to realize that men are affected by these conditions as well. The AAP states that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate in youth over any other mental health illness, with roughly five percent of people suffering from these disorders giving their life to this disease.
Symptoms or signs of a male eating disorder are not much different than those for their female friends. Weight changes that go unexplained or brushed off, a hoarding of food or a noticeable disappearance of food regularly, frequent trips to the rest room after dinner, obsessions with dieting and calorie control even though they are underweight, and avoidance of eating in public venues are all markers of an eating disorder. In women, missing the monthly menses cycle is a common symptom of a progressed disease, although this symptom does not obviously apply to men. For men however this will show up in their lack of sexual appetite, or having their sexual urges feeling suppressed, or sometimes gone entirely.
Other common signs that may indicate the need for male eating disorder treatment include obsessions with eating rituals, extreme fatigue as their weight and energy levels decline, constantly feeling cold because they are losing body fat, loss of body hair, and frequent or excessive workouts or exercises. It is not uncommon for men and women alike to isolate themselves from their previous social and family network to ensure that nobody catches on to how intricate their eating disorder has become.
Men are more likely to need male eating disorder treatment if they are extremely weight conscious and suffering from this disease while engaging in weight limited activities. Sports like wrestling for example where weight requirements are strict are known to have a higher incidence of male eating disorders than other heavy weight sports such as football.
Overall, like any mental health problem, there is no one size fits all diagnosis. But this is not a problem that needs to last a lifetime, and if not stopped, it can end a life in a slow and torturous way. If any of these signs sounds familiar, it may be time for male eating disorder treatment, and the sooner you get it, the sooner you can get your life back.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the AAP released a 2010 report that shows that the need for male eating disorder treatment is on the rise. Typically it is estimated that male eating disorders account for as many as ten percent of all diagnosed eating disorders. Many professionals say that this number is widely underestimated, as men are even less likely than women to seek treatment for these deadly conditions.
Adolescent women are the highest demographic as far as those who suffer the most, and a lot of the research and treatment options are geared towards this group. Even though this is a group that we should not ignore, we still need to realize that men are affected by these conditions as well. The AAP states that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate in youth over any other mental health illness, with roughly five percent of people suffering from these disorders giving their life to this disease.
Symptoms or signs of a male eating disorder are not much different than those for their female friends. Weight changes that go unexplained or brushed off, a hoarding of food or a noticeable disappearance of food regularly, frequent trips to the rest room after dinner, obsessions with dieting and calorie control even though they are underweight, and avoidance of eating in public venues are all markers of an eating disorder. In women, missing the monthly menses cycle is a common symptom of a progressed disease, although this symptom does not obviously apply to men. For men however this will show up in their lack of sexual appetite, or having their sexual urges feeling suppressed, or sometimes gone entirely.
Other common signs that may indicate the need for male eating disorder treatment include obsessions with eating rituals, extreme fatigue as their weight and energy levels decline, constantly feeling cold because they are losing body fat, loss of body hair, and frequent or excessive workouts or exercises. It is not uncommon for men and women alike to isolate themselves from their previous social and family network to ensure that nobody catches on to how intricate their eating disorder has become.
Men are more likely to need male eating disorder treatment if they are extremely weight conscious and suffering from this disease while engaging in weight limited activities. Sports like wrestling for example where weight requirements are strict are known to have a higher incidence of male eating disorders than other heavy weight sports such as football.
Overall, like any mental health problem, there is no one size fits all diagnosis. But this is not a problem that needs to last a lifetime, and if not stopped, it can end a life in a slow and torturous way. If any of these signs sounds familiar, it may be time for male eating disorder treatment, and the sooner you get it, the sooner you can get your life back.