Men Have Eating Disorders Too: Ending the Silence
When we talk about eating disorders, the conversation often centers around women. This narrow focus can be misleading and harmful, as eating disorders affect people of all genders, and men are not immune. An estimated 10 million men in the U.S. will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives (National Eating Disorders Association, n.d.). Despite these numbers, there is a dangerous silence around male eating disorders, fueled by stigma, shame, misinformation, and societal pressures. This silence can have serious consequences, namely, preventing men from seeking the support they need and deserve.
Austin Center for Eating Disorders (ACED) is committed to breaking this silence. We offer specialized treatment tailored to the unique needs of men silently dealing with eating disorders.
Our compassionate and specialized team provides a space for men to share their struggles, find support, get all the needed tools and skills for help, and begin their journey to recovery.
Understanding Eating Disorders in Men: Breaking the Myths
One of the primary reasons men are less likely to seek treatment for eating disorders is the widespread myth that EDs only affect women. However, research indicates that men are susceptible to a range of eating disorders, including:
Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by extreme food restriction, fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image. Men with anorexia may focus on achieving a "lean" or "muscular" physique, rather than the thinness often associated with anorexia in women.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Involves recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, or distress. Men with BED may feel out of control during these episodes and may not engage in compensatory behaviors (like purging or using exercise to compensate).
Bulimia Nervosa: Characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by behaviors like purging, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain. Purging behaviors often are experienced by strong feelings of relief, that keep the cycle going.
Muscle Dysmorphia: Sometimes called "bigorexia," this disorder involves an obsession with muscle size and body image. Men with muscle dysmorphia may engage in extreme dieting, over-exercise, and even use steroids to achieve a muscular body.
Compulsive Exercise: Involves obsession with exercise with inability to miss a workout without severe anxiety or distress, also referred to as overexercise or exercise addiction.
For men, these disorders often manifest differently than they do in women. For instance, men may be more focused on muscle mass than thinness, and their disordered behaviors may involve excessive exercise, supplement use, or steroid abuse to achieve their body goals (Mitchison & Mond, 2015). These differences in presentation can lead to under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis, further perpetuating the myth that eating disorders are a "female issue."
The Unique Challenges Men Face with Eating Disorders
Men with eating disorders face unique challenges that can make seeking treatment more difficult. One of the most significant barriers is the stigma surrounding eating disorders in men. Society often equates masculinity with strength, self-control, and emotional stoicism, which can make it difficult for men to admit they are struggling with something as stigmatized as an eating disorder. This stigma is exacerbated by cultural norms that discourage men from discussing their emotions or vulnerabilities.
Moreover, many men may not recognize that they have an eating disorder. The focus on muscle mass rather than thinness, the normalization of extreme exercise in male fitness culture, and the misconception that disordered eating behaviors (like excessive dieting or supplement use) are part of "healthy living" can prevent men from realizing that their behaviors are causing them suffering and becoming problematic. Additionally, the diagnostic criteria for some eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, have historically been centered around female presentations of the disorder, which can make it harder for clinicians to recognize these disorders in men (Strother, Lemberg, Stanford, & Turberville, 2012).
Common Symptoms of Eating Disorders in Men
Recognizing the symptoms of eating disorders in men is needed to breaking the cycle of silence and shame. While every individual's experience with an eating disorder is unique, common symptoms in men may include:
Obsession with body size or muscle mass: This may include spending excessive time at the gym, using muscle-building supplements or steroids, or constantly comparing their physique to others. There is also tracking and/or measuring behaviors that can become obsessive, like weighing, measuring body parts, or using photos to track “progress.”
Extreme dieting or food restriction: Men with anorexia may severely limit their food intake to achieve a lean or muscular physique, sometimes cutting out entire food groups or drastically reducing calorie intake. Tracking behaviors are common here, too, such as keeping food logs and/or memorizing the macros or calories in foods.
Binge eating episodes: Men with BED may consume large quantities of food in a short period, often in secret, and may feel ashamed or distressed afterward. There is no amount of discipline or self-control that can stop these behaviors in an eating disorder - it requires specialized treatment and time to resolve.
Compensatory behaviors: In bulimia nervosa, men may engage in purging, excessive exercise, or fasting after binge eating to "compensate" for the calories consumed.
Body dysmorphia: Men may become preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance, often focusing on their muscularity or lack thereof. This obsessions leads to compulsive checking behaviors, or other behaviors related to food or exercise to “fix” the perceived flaw.
Emotional distress related to body image: Men with eating disorders often experience anxiety, depression, or feelings of inadequacy related to their body image. Do not underestimate the pain that comes along with emotional distress for men - even though men are taught to not show emotional pain, it doesn’t mean it’s not real. Men deserve compassion and care.
How to Support a Man Struggling with an Eating Disorder
If you suspect that a man in your life is struggling with an eating disorder, it can be difficult to know how to help. Here are some steps you can take to support him on his journey to recovery:
Encourage open communication: Let him know that you are there to listen without judgment. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, so creating a safe space for him to share his thoughts and feelings is one of the best ways to care.
Avoid focusing on appearance: Comments about his body, whether positive or negative, can reinforce the disordered thoughts and behaviors associated with eating disorders. Instead, focus on his emotional well-being and overall health, and any concerns you might have.
Offer resources and support: Gently suggest seeking professional help. Remind him that eating disorders are treatable and that recovery is possible with the right support. Offering to help research treatment options or accompany him to appointments can be a significant source of comfort.
Be patient: Recovery from an eating disorder is a long and complex process. There may be setbacks along the way, and remaining supportive and encouraging him to seek help is likely the best thing you can do.
Get Treatment at Austin Center for Eating Disorders: Specialized Care for Men with Eating Disorders
We understand the complexities of eating disorders in men and offer a comprehensive and individual approach to treatment. Our team of therapists and dietitians are highly specialized and skilled in addressing the unique needs of men, and provide a safe space and all the needed tools and skills for healing.
Therapeutic Approaches: A Specialized Team
Recovery from an eating disorder requires working with a specialized team: a therapist and a dietitian who collaborate to ensure the best possible care.
Our therapy and nutrition therapy sessions are designed to help men understand the root causes of their eating disorders and develop the tools they need for lasting recovery. We offer evidence-based therapies such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients recognize and challenge the disordered thoughts and behaviors that maintain their eating disorder.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal relationships. Lots of skills and tools.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment and commit to values-based actions that promote recovery.
Psychodynamic Approaches: Helps to develop deep understanding into how the eating disorder helps. Of course, the eating disorder does more harm than good, but we must acknowledge that the behaviors associated with it is helping the client to cope with something.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): A gold standard treatment to help with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, often seen in eating disorders and dysmorphia.
Schedule a Free Phone Consult to Take The First Step towards Recovery
The ACED clinicians believe that recovery is possible for everyone, regardless of gender. We are committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that empowers men to take control of their recovery. Some of the benefits of choosing ACED for treatment include:
A multidisciplinary team: The ACED therapists and dietitians work together to collaborate to provide the best possible holistic care that addresses all aspects of eating disorder recovery.
Individualized treatment plans: We understand that every client’s journey is unique, and we tailor our treatment plans to meet each client’s specific needs and goals.
A safe, nonjudgmental environment: We offer a confidential space where men can feel comfortable sharing their struggles and working toward recovery without fear of judgment or stigma.
In-person and virtual options: We offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions, making it easier for men to access the care they need, regardless of their location or schedule.
The Importance of Getting Treatment as Soon as Possible
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have severe physical and emotional consequences if left untreated. For men, the reluctance to seek help often means that their eating disorders go undiagnosed or untreated for longer, increasing the risk of complications such as heart disease, bone loss, gastrointestinal problems, and even death. However, the earlier an eating disorder is identified and treated, the greater the likelihood of a full recovery (Treasure, Claudino, & Zucker, 2010).
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s never too late to seek help. The road to recovery may be challenging, but with the right support, it is possible to reclaim your health, your relationships, and embrace a more fulfilling life.
How to Get Started: Schedule a Free Consultation
The ACED clinicians believe that recovery starts with a conversation. We offer a free 15-20 minute phone consultation to discuss your goals and determine how we can best support you or your loved one on the path to recovery. During this consultation, we will listen to your story, answer any questions you may have, and provide guidance on the next steps.
You don’t have to face an eating disorder alone, in silence. Let us help you take the first step toward healing.
References
National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Get the facts on eating disorders. National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders
Mitchison, D., & Mond, J. (2015). Epidemiology of eating disorders, eating disordered behaviour, and body image disturbance in males: A narrative review. Journal of Eating Disorders, 3, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-015-0058-y
Treasure, J., Claudino, A. M., & Zucker, N. (2010). Eating disorders. The Lancet, 375(9714), 583–593. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61748-7
Legal disclaimer: The ACED team is comprised of mental health professionals licensed to practice in the state of Texas. Reading our blog does not create a therapist-client relationship between us. Our blog is designed for informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for professional care. The contents of this blog should not be used to diagnose or treat illness of any kind, and before you rely on any information presented here you should consult with a trusted healthcare professional. If you are currently experiencing a mental health emergency please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.