Eating Disorders Treatment for Men
Eating Disorder
Often, eating disorders are thought of as applying exclusively to females. However, there are millions of men who struggle with eating disorders. Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.
Anorexia in Men
Individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight, may refuse to eat or eat minimally, or do not maintain normal, healthy body weight. Men with anorexia may voice dissatisfaction with his body size or shape, diet excessively, or have certain food rituals. Individuals with anorexia often exhibit other emotional and mental characteristics such as:
- Depression
- Inflexible thinking
- Social isolation
- Loss of interest
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Low sense of self-worth
- Denial
- Irritability
- Insomnia
Physical signs of anorexia include:
- Low body weight
- Rapid loss of weight
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Poor balance
- Thinning hair or hair loss
- Lowered body temperature
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered pulse rate
- Heart arrhythmia
- Muscular weakness
Bulimia Nervosa in Men
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes in which the individual binge eats, then follows by vomiting or purging the food from the body (through diuretics, excessive exercise, fasting, or the use of laxatives). Men with bulimia nervosa engage in this cycle in order to avoid weight gain. Bulimia stems from mental and emotional dissatisfaction with one’s body image, but also has severe physical impact including:
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Loss of dental enamel
- Sore throat
- Gastric rupture
- And more
Binge-Eating Disorder
A lesser known eating disorder is called binge-eating disorder. This disorder involves recurrent episodes of excessive eating or overeating, but without the purging associated with bulimia. Individuals suffering from binge-eating disorder may eat in secret, attempt to hide eating habits, eat emotionally, skip meals, or show negative emotions such as anger, shame, anxiety, and depression, particularly in relation to food.
All of these conditions are severe and life-threatening and require effective treatment to overcome mental, emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms. At Freeman Recover Center, we take a unique approach to eating disorder treatment for men. Our doctors and experts work with visitors to create nutritional plans, strengthen the body, and ensure physical well-being throughout the recovery process. Our counselors and caring staff also help individuals address the mental, emotional, and behavioral aspects of eating disorder with individual and group therapies tailored to the visitor’s unique needs.
To learn more about eating disorder treatment for men and how we may be of help, please give us a call today.