More than half of men with condition don’t get treatment
More than half of men with eating disorders have never received treatment, and a third have never sought it, according to a new survey by the UK’S eating disorders charity, Beat.
The survey, carried out for Eating Disorders Awareness Week, is the UK’S biggest survey of men’s experiences with eating disorders.
The charity estimates that over 300,000 men in the UK are affected and, while treatable, recovery can become much more challenging the longer someone is unwell.
Of the one in three men who reported that they had never tried to get treatment for their eating disorder, almost half weren’t aware that treatment was available at all.
Respondents in Scotland cited failure to recognise that they needed treatment, and fearing how others would react, as among the main reasons why they didn’t seek help.
Some men said they felt they should recover from their eating disorder by themselves, or that they would find it difficult to receive help from another person.
In addition, seven in 10 men with an eating disorder had never heard of, or read about, other men being affected before they became unwell.
One man stated:“i previously thought only girls and young women could have an eating disorder.”
Others mentioned that stories about men with eating disorders “seemed to be the exception as opposed to the rule.”
Several survey respondents from Scotland said that a lack of awareness led to delays in realising that they were unwell.
Beat’s national lead for Scotland, Kirsty Pavey, said: “One in four people with eating disorders are men, but the misconception that eating disorders only affect women is rampant.
“Alarmingly, we know that this harmful stigma can prevent men from recognising the signs in themselves, delay access to treatment and worsen feelings of shame and isolation.
“It’s deeply unfair that men across Scotland are not getting the support they need due to a lack of societal understanding about eating disorders.
“It’s crucial that more awareness is raised about eating disorder symptoms, to help ensure people can recognise the early warning signs in themselves or others, and that everybody knows what treatment is available.
“The sooner people can access treatment, the better their chances of making a full recovery, which is why it’s so important that men do not suffer in silence.
“We’d like to reassure anybody affected by these serious mental illnesses that recovery is possible and that support is available across Scotland.”
Dr Stephen Anderson, eating disorder psychiatrist and Beat trustee, said:“people with eating disorders often experience significant shame, guilt and stigma in relation to their illness and this can be increased in men who see themselves as suffering from a‘female illness.’
“We need to continue to work on increasing awareness of eating disorders in boys and men with the aim of improving access to treatment.”
* Beat provides information and support 365 days a year through helplines which people can call, text or email, and through online support including information and support groups. Beat also provides expert training for health and social care professionals and for schools.
“It relies on financial support from the public to run its services. More information is available at: www. beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Beat’s Scottish helpline is open from 9am to midnight on weekdays, and 4pm to midnight on weekends and bank holidays on 0808 801 0432 or via scotlandhelp@ beateatingdisorders.org.uk