To Men

Addressing the often-overlooked reality of eating disorders in men and how to seek help.

There are one million men and seven million women who have eating disorders in the U.S., according to statistics from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (www.anad.org). The number for men is probably much higher, however, because eating disorders in males go largely unreported – and sadly, they suffer alone.

For ease of language, I have chosen to refer to eating disorder clients as "she". This is not to discount the experience of men. Living with an eating disorder is just as painful for a man as it is for a woman, and the symptoms and emotional processes are similar. I have experience treating men with eating disorders and I offer this in my practice.