Eating Disorder

WHAT IS IT?

It’s not just deliberate starvation. It’s when a person experiences extreme emotions and thoughts leading to drastic behaviours in order to control the food and weight issues they believe they have. It is a serious and potentially life threatening mental disorder.

There are three main types:

o Anorexia Nervosa – self-starvation brought on by an extreme fear of gaining weight and a distorted self-image

o Bulimia Nervosa – the ‘binge and purge’  brought on by an extreme fear of gaining weight and associated with feelings of shame and disguise

o Binge Eating Disorder – the out of control bingeing without the compensating leading to obesity

WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS LIKE?

o Up to 43% of males are unhappy with their weight

o 10% of known eating disorder patients are male

o In male adolescents, 1/3 are known to use unhealthy weight control behaviours including 

     fasting, skipping meals, vomiting, taking laxatives and smoking. 

o Males are three times more likely than females to try and gain weight

o 37% of males who binge also have depression

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

Some common symptoms for Anorexia and Bulimia:

o Extreme fear of gaining weight

o Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities

o Weak muscles

o Lowered testosterone

o Working out even when injured, or stress associated with missing a workout

o Fatigue, poor sleep

o Feeling faint or dizzy

o Obsession of body shape, weight and appearance

Some specific signs and symptoms:

Anorexia Nervosa	Bulimia Nervosa	Binge Eating Disorder
Insufficient consumption of food         Visibly low body weight         Refusal to maintain normal weight or eat properly         Hair loss or an increase in facial or body hair         Sensitivity to cold	Out of control bingeing and then purging through self-induced vomiting, consumption of laxatives, excessive exercise or fasting         Unusual swelling of cheeks or jaw         Hand calluses from self-induced vomiting         Teeth are stained or discoloured         Feeling disgust and shame from bingeing	Insatiable cravings leading to frequent uncontrollable bingeing, often to the point of discomfort, at any time of the day even when not hungry         No compensation for bingeing         Shame or guilt feelings associated with bingeing         Weight gain         Eating alone

COMMON CAUSES/RISK FACTORS:

Biological	Psychological	Social
Genetic link	Low self-esteem           Depression       Anxiety       Anger       Stress       Loneliness       Difficulty expressing emotions	Media: portrayal of idea “muscularity” in men       Bullying       Previous physical or sexual abuse       Pressures of social “norms” to be strong and athletic

TREATMENT

Treatment varies for each individual. If you or someone you know is experiencing an eating disorder it is best to seek Professional help, and they will either tailor your treatment, or refer you to someone better suited at doing this for you.

Treatment usually involves a psychologist or counselling service, and nutrition therapy. It can be in the form of individual, group or family therapy, and in some cases psychiatric medication will be prescribed.

WHERE TO GET HELP IN AUSTRALIA?

Your local GP is the best place to start.

Online support:

              http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/

                

                            http://www.nedc.com.au/

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

National Eating Disorders Collaboration Fact Sheet on Eating Disorders in Males. Found at: http://www.nedc.com.au/files/logos/Fact%20sheet_Eds%20and%20Males_2013.pdf

National Eating Disorders Association. Found at: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and associated Disorders. Found at: http://www.anad.org/