Male Anorexia

Male anorexia may not be as common as it is in women, but it certainly happens and can be just as devastating. Anorexia is a well-known disorder in the United States. It affects everyone from young children to the middle-aged. Headlines surrounding celebrity weight loss and possible eating disorders are everywhere. What isn't as publicized is the amount of men that suffer from anorexia. 

How Common is Anorexia in Men?
It is estimated that 10% of anorexia sufferers are men, but the actual number may be much higher. Male anorexia statistics are difficult to calculate because of the stigma attached to those that come forward. While women with anorexia are often in the spotlight (making it appear almost desirable to have an eating disorder to impressionable women), male anorexia is seldom discussed.

Male anorexia is more prevalent in homosexual than heterosexual males, causing men to have to worry about being associated with two stigmas: their sexuality (whether accurate or not) and having a predominantly female eating disorder.

Athletes are also at a high risk of developing male anorexia, especially those who participate in sports such as running and wrestling. The competitive nature of these sports combined with the focus put on weight makes succumbing to an eating disorder more likely for men. Other occupations and activities that also place a strong value on appearance can be triggers for male anorexia, such as modeling and dancing.

Men with anorexia are often dependent on drugs and alcohol as well. Experts aren't entirely sure why, but it is possibly the result of an addictive personality. Psychological disorders in addition to anorexia are common in both men and women.

Symptoms of Anorexia in Men
Men with anorexia will keep the weight off with excessive exercise, as opposed to women who tend to under-eat.  Like women, men with the disease have a skewed self-image, believing that they are fat when, generally, they are not.

One of the biggest challenges facing men with anorexia is the difficulty in diagnosing the disease. While many women who have anorexia are close to being at an average weight when the anorexia begins, men are often on the larger side. This, combined with society's acceptance of men who binge eat, makes recognizing male anorexia much harder than diagnoisng female anorexia. Men who do seek help are often diagnosed with appetite changes resulting from depression rather than an eating disorder.

Men with anorexia also tend to resist treatments involving support groups because of the ratio of women to men with the disorder. They usually don't want to be seeking help and discussing their problem with a large group of women.

The road to recovery from anorexia is long for both men and women, and relapse is not uncommon. Treatment can be effective, but it may take considerable support from a trusted friend or family member to guide a man with anorexia through the social and emotional challenges that must be overcome to face this disorder.