Men struggle with Eating Disorders too

Eating disorders have often been associated as a disease that afflicts women primarily, but the number of men who are seeking help for eating disorders is rising.  Overall, there seems to be a deficiency in professional resources for men who might be struggling with an eating disorder, and health professionals may not be appropriately trained to identify and treat men who have eating disorders.  Additionally, men may find it much more challenging to acknowledge diagnosis and treatment as there may not be much support or encouragement to do so.  Men are also susceptible to the cultural pressures that women face, and it is critical that awareness of eating disorders in men is raised so that appropriate help and treatment is available. 

What are some of the difficulties men may face in seeking help for an eating disorder?

Eating Disorder Hope Blog Update

To our dear Visitors:

We wish to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to Eating Disorder Hope.  Presently, our blogs are temporarily under construction as we seek to improve, enhance, and develop greater resources.  During this time, blog posts will be kept to a minimum, but we excitedly look forward to offering you increased resources in the very near future.  In the meantime, please follow Eating Disorder Hope on Facebook for up-to-date articles, resources, and support for eating disorders or access our website at www.eatingdisorderhope.com.  We thank you for your patience during this time and hope you will continue to choose Eating Disorder Hope for your one stop resource for eating disorder treatment information and recovery tools.  We look forward to continually serving you!

Blessings,

Eating Disorder Hope

Eating Disorders Identified in College Freshmen as They Return Home for Winter Break

Winter break is a most welcomed time for college freshmen across the United States.  Many families will be reunited with their college student over the holiday season, and for some parents, this time may lead to the discovery of the development of an eating disorder in their child.  The transition to college has been recognized as one of the two most common life stages in which an eating disorder can develop and progress, and it is particularly important for parents to be attentive and observant of symptoms of eating disorders as their teens arrive home for the holidays. Examples of some warning signs to be aware of that may indicate the development of an eating disorder include withdrawal from family/friends or avoidance of social gatherings and/or perceptible weight loss or weight gain since entering college.  Early recognition of these and other symptoms is essential to intervention and treatment.  Continue reading here to learn of additional warning signs to be aware of as well as suggestions for addressing the concern of an eating disorder developing.

If you are a parent of a child/teen who has struggled with an eating disorder, what were some of the early symptoms that you were able to recognize?  How can parents effectively approach their child who may be struggling?