Are eating disorders common amongst men?

LegacyUser

Hello,

I am a male who has noticed lately that I have had a problem with food. I don't necessarily consider myself to have an eating disorder. Certainly nothing as serious as bulimia or anorexia. But I find that I often feel unwell after a meal and I have often opted to skip meals. When I eat less or skip meals I feel alot better. (More awake, alert, stronger etc). I know it isn't healthy to skip meals so I am worried that I could be heading towards some sort of disorder.

I have never read or heard anything about men with eating disorders. I am sure there are men out there that do but it is never discussed. Am I right in thinking that society presumes its a female only problem. Or am I way off the mark here?

I'd be interested to hear if anybody has experience of this.

Thanks

Marksie

OP:i just did a very quick google under the heading and a lot of information came up straight away.
an example of this is: http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/eatingdisorders.html

The same figure of 10% of eating disorders patients being men cropped up in several articles

and yes they do mention the assumption that it is a female only problem.

OK: I am not qualified to decide whether you have or have not got an eating disorder.
That stuff was to give you an idea of what is out there.

The standard advice applies: go to your GP and talk to them. Also, look in the charter, there is a link to bodywhys.

If you are concerned that you have or are begining to feel you have, then you have taken the first steps in recognising it. Take the next and crucial step and take a practical approach

LegacyUser

The first thing you need to do is to talk to your GP. It might be that you need to have some tests done etc, you may have developed diabetes for example and thats why you are feeling tired after you eat, you may just be eating the wrong things.

Your GP can access this and if he/she feels that you may have an eating disorder can refer you to the likes of BODYWHYS.

Take a look at the site and see if you can relate to anything and discuss this with you gp also.

www.bodywhys.ie

LegacyUser

'Thanks for your replies. That bodywhys site looks good.

I think I might have been a bit presumptious in suggesting that I had a disorder. It could be, as suggested, something to do with my diet. I am glad at some of the weight loss but obviously not by the fashion it was achieved. I'd like to point out that being thinner was not my motivation for cutting out the food.

After eating I often feel really bloated, fatigued, pale with bags under my eyes etc. Not always, sometimes I feel great after a meal but only if I haven't eaten for a while. So I guess it is a diet thing. I don't necessarily eat unhealthly or anything.

I was just concerned that it could lead to ill health and started thinking about male eating disorders.'

Canis Lupus

Yeah go see a doctor, I've a mate who quite often feels ill after she eats. Altho in her case the docs haven't figured out why yet. Could be something physical rather than in your head.

I've a flatmate who is male and has been vomitting intentionally for about half his life (he's 37). He point blank refuses help or to help himself. Don't let yourself get that way if it is in your head. Food is good. Skipping meals is bad mmmkay.

neuro-praxis

A blood test with your GP is a good first step - you may have Coeliac disease, or any host of allergies to any of the foods you are eating.

Good luck!

bronte

Everyone's different, It suits me to eat little and often, rather than huge meals in one go which would make me feel sluggish and uncomfortable.
As the above poster said, you could have an intolerance to something.
Now I love my pizza, but sometimes if i haven't had it in a while, I'll feel dodgy afterwards.
See if you can identify anything that makes you feel a bit rough and avoid it.

beans

I went through a funny eating time in college, wouldn't eat in the morning, then started skipping lunches, enjoyed the feeling. I think this was more a mental issue with me than physical, and echo the sentiments of those who recommend a trip to the doctor, best to get these things checked out, esp is food is making you feel ill.

Insofar as my eating was directly connected to my mood, and my mood with how much I ate or didn't eat, i'm sure what i went through could be called a disorder of some sort. You're right that it's an issue that's understated in relation to men, but it does happen - and like anything else, best try to get to the bottom of it than live with it to the point where it causes real problems healthwise, physical and mental.

Maple

Go to the doctor, sounds like you have an intolerance for something you're eating rather than an eating disorder.

Tar.Aldarion

maple wrote:

Go to the doctor, sounds like you have an intolerance for something you're eating rather than an eating disorder.

This.

You should definitely not feel better if you do not eat unless you are allergic etc

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies! Yes I guess I should really go to a doctor. Having the time to do that is another thing.

As a child and teenager I always had a big appetite and ate lots. At times I was slightly overweight but nothing to worry about.

I just think now that my system isn't able to take the large meals anymore. Even though I would gladly shovel it into me. I regret it after!

Peewee_lane

I went through a mad phase in college of not eating very much at all and I had to re train my stomach to cope with the level of food when I started working. I didnt eat cause I was broke, but I became accustomed to it, and couldnt stomach very much. I dropped weight and couldnt regain it for a very long time.

Try not eat processed food, and put good nourishing soup, vegetables and small amounts of fruit into your stomach to stretch it again. Think all the time in little bits that your stretching it and retraining it.

If you feel disgusted after eating, and are unsatisfied with your appearance, I'd say, yes visit the gp.

Also talk to the GP about irritable bowel syndrome and wheat intolerance. You may actually need an allergy test and that might solve your probs... good luck dude

LegacyUser

'

Peewee_lane wrote:

If you feel disgusted after eating, and are unsatisfied with your appearance, I'd say, yes visit the gp.

Thank you for your advice. Its not so much a pyschological thing after eating. Its very much a physical reaction. I feel very bloated and my stomach feels very heavy. The small of my back gets sore as a result of this bloating and all round I feel out of sorts and extremely run down.'