If you suspect that someone you love is suffering from disordered eating, it is vital to seek treatment as soon as possible. This term covers a range of conditions, and many people battle symptoms but don’t meet every criterion for a clinical diagnosis. This disparity can make many people feel lonely and isolated due to their condition. Fortunately, at Red Oak Recovery®, located near Davidson, North Carolina, we pride ourselves on providing support for men battling disordered eating. Please reach out to Red Oak Recovery® by calling 866.457.7590 or using our convenient online form to learn more about our services.
Why Should Men Seek Eating Disorder Treatment?
Unfortunately, the stereotype exists that disordered eating is a condition that only occurs in young females. However, this is not always the case. Disordered eating can actually impact anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or economic background. Furthermore, some experts suggest that men make up about a quarter of disordered eating cases but don’t get the treatment they need because doctors overlook their condition.
Additionally, many people think that only people who are underweight struggle with disordered eating. However, because this term covers a range of conditions, this isn’t always the case. In fact, those who are obese or overweight may also be suffering from disordered eating and the health consequences that follow. Therefore, medical professionals must screen all patients for disordered eating habits instead of just those who are underweight.
How Do I Know If a Loved One Has This Condition?
In many cases, doctors aren’t the first people to recognize disordered eating in a patient. In fact, under many circumstances, the loved ones are the first ones to acknowledge that there’s a problem. If you suspect that someone you loved is suffering from disordered eating, there are a range of physical and emotional signs that you can look out for to determine whether they need treatment.
Physical Signs of Disordered Eating
Physical signs of disordered eating often don’t appear until the condition has progressed significantly. However, there are some obvious signs that you can be aware of if you suspect you’re loved one of having a disordered eating problem, such as:
- Complaining of feeling weak, dizzy, or tired
- Changes in bowel habits
- Complaining of stomach pain
- Weight fluctuations
- Changes in hair and skin
- Dental problems due to stomach acid on the teeth
- Fainting
If you see several of these problems, it’s vital to find treatment as soon as possible for your loved one.
Emotional Signs of Disordered Eating
Sometimes people can be more aware of the emotional signs of this condition than they are of the physical ones. Often someone suffering from disordered eating is overly preoccupied with weight and food to the extent that it becomes their primary concern. They may also become focused on their body image or body size, leading to restrict specific foods or label certain foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ You may also notice them performing certain rituals surrounding food or withdrawing altogether from social eating activities. If this is the case, it is vital to encourage them to seek treatment.
Get Support at Red Oak Recovery®
At our men’s disordered eating treatment programs, we address disordered eating when it co-occurs with substance use. We offer a range of therapeutic options to address these conditions, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Family therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Wilderness therapy
To determine if our disordered eating treatment program can help your loved one, we encourage you to reach out to our men’s treatment program today at 866.457.7590. We can answer any questions you may have and give you the tools you need to encourage your loved one to get treatment.
