Trigger warning: Eating disorders
To mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week we today speak to two people helping to spearhead the care and support on offer for those struggling to cope across our region.
The focus of EDAW23 is on raising awareness of eating disorders in men. Around 1 in 4 people with eating disorders are men. Yet in 2023, their symptoms can still go unnoticed by those around them.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust: Dr Julia Coleby, consultant clinical psychologist, Eating Disorders Service, for Durham, Darlington and Teesside.
A quarter of people who we are aware of experiencing eating disorders identify as male. But, because our culture typically associates eating disorders with girls and women, men and boys may struggle to make sense of their experiences or find it difficult to put words to them.
This can be a barrier to males seeking help or contribute to them feeling ashamed of their difficulties. Males may fear being stigmatised. We want them to know they are not alone, that it is not unusual for males to experience such issues and that help is available.
Men, boys and people with more fluid gender identity can experience the same eating difficulties as anyone else. Males can starve themselves until they reach a life threateningly low body weight. They may binge eat, make themselves sick and experience fertility problems and other serious physical health issues – the same as females.
Reach out for help
Men and boys can also frequently present with a strong drive to build a muscular body shape or become preoccupied with reaching a certain body fat percentage. They may use substances harmful to their health, such as steroids, as they strive to achieve their goals.
Sadly this may mean that someone’s weight or BMI may be in the healthy range, so the difficulties they experience with their emotions, thoughts or other aspects of their physical heath are not noticed or overlooked.
Family, friends and even health professionals may be less tuned into signs of possible eating disorders in men and boys. We hope that by raising awareness of the experiences of these groups, this may encourage conversations about eating distress in males, challenge assumptions about who experiences these problems and leave supporters better placed to respond to those who may reach out to them.
Signs to watch out for
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses. You can’t tell if someone is struggling with an eating disorder just by looking at them, or by analysing what they do or don’t eat, or how much exercise they do on a particular day. However, there are signs to watch out for:
- If you find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about what you should and shouldn’t eat.
- You notice that you are judging yourself harshly because of your weight, shape or diet choices.
- If you feel anxious, irritable or guilty if you are unable to follow your preferred rules around eating or find that the choices you make in relationships or social situations are driven by fears of eating or how eating may impact your weight or shape.
If you experience any of these, then please talk to someone about how you are feeling. You can seek information and support from a range of organisations – and your GP can also offer support.
My main message would be that, if something doesn’t feel right about your eating – it is making you distressed or miss out on what you usually enjoy – you should reach out. Don’t ever think that it’s not OK to open up, because there are services out there for you.
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust: Dr Katherine Crosby, consultant clinical psychologist, Adult Eating Disorder Service.
It is important to raise awareness generally around eating disorders, as there is still a stigma surrounding them – especially for men. They don’t fit the stereotype for eating disorders, and therefore often go undiagnosed for a long time.
Having an eating disorder is isolating. Very often people are alone, or feel alone, which makes it so important that we get the message out about what support is on offer. We need people to reach out and get the help they need..
Eating disorders are often a coping mechanism that then becomes part of a person’s personality. It can be difficult for people experiencing eating difficulties to hold on to the idea that recovery, with all its challenges, is worth it. Anorexia can become so dominant that it is hard to remember who you used to be outside the illness.
Anyone of any age can have an eating disorder
The more you use eating as a coping mechanism, the stronger the illness becomes. It ends up as the go-to pattern of behaviour and difficult to give up.
Eating disorders can happen to anyone, at any age. There are lots of factors – such as personality traits, trauma, relationship difficulties or loss of role/bereavement. It can cross the full life span.
Our service supports people with anorexia in particular, although we do see other types of eating disorders. We are currently developing a pathway that can meet the needs of people experiencing avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) for example.
The most important message I want people to hear is “don’t tackle this on your own”. Please reach out and talk to someone. An eating disorder is really difficult to manage on your own. There are people out there who can help you.
We are here to work alongside you on your recovery. Often anorexia makes you think you can manage, that you are in control – but that means you can’t see the risks. People are often in denial for a long time, so it is helpful to get another perspective.
Eating disorders are more common than you think
Eating disorders are more common than you think. They are nothing to be ashamed about and help is available. No-one is here to judge you. People will understand what you are going through – often people find it helpful to realise that others are experiencing similar things.
We recognise that early intervention is key. The earlier treatment can begin, the more likely it is to be successful. Our new FREED pathway recognises this.
Families and loved ones of people with eating disorders often feel helpless and as if they are treading on egg shells. There is help available both on an individual basis and as part of our monthly skills-based carers group.
Support, help and further resources:
BEAT: The charity provides a wide range of information and guidance on eating disorders. It also holds specialist courses and operates a helpline for those in need: The UK’s Eating Disorder Charity – Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)
EDNE: Eating Distress North East provides information on family support, counselling, health and wellbeing workshops, mindfulness courses and training and education: Eating Distress North East – Charitable Organisation (edne.org.uk)
GPs: Your own doctor can provide information on eating disorders and refer you to specialist services.
Recovery College Online: Information for service users, carers, staff and anyone with an interest in eating disorders. Eating Disorders – Recovery College Online.
