Cultural Perceptions
Cause Men With Eating Disorders To Suffer Largely In Silence
One of the more regrettable truths about anorexia and bulimia as that they are culturally perceived as women’s problems. And while it is undeniably true that the vast majority of those suffering from eating disorders are indeed women, there are men that suffer from them as well, and often in silence. Statistics show that some 10% of those suffering from anorexia or bulimia are men, which is why A Place of Hope offers therapy for eating disorders in men as well as women.
The cultural and social stigmas attached to disorders such as anorexia and bulimia make it difficult for many men to acknowledge their issues to themselves, let alone others. The fact is that women are generally much more open with their feelings then men, and tend to discuss emotional, physical and psychological issues much more freely. Issues such as anorexia and bulimia are culturally perceived to be women’s problems, making it extremely difficult for men dealing with these issues to deal with them openly.
Male beauty is often tied to things such as muscle mass, definition, etc; not to weight loss. There is nothing that is perceived culturally to be powerful or masculine about an eating disorder, and the shame many men feel makes them even more reluctant to address the problem.
A Place of Hope is a place where men suffering from eating disorders can open up, expressing their innermost thoughts and knowing they will be accepted unconditionally. Clients can expect to:
- Find compassion in a safe, confidential and supportive place
- Get “whole-person” help - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
- Stay for a length of time best-suited to you
- Talk with people who understand there’s no “snapping out of it”
- Express what you’re really feeling, not what you think people want to hear
- Confront the dreams and flashbacks that won’t stop haunting you
- Share your experiences through individual and group counseling
- Start planning for the future without anxiety or fear
- Reclaim a life worth living in a world where your feelings do matter
If you are a man suffering from an eating disorder, the first thing to remember is that you have noting to be ashamed of. The next thing to remember is that the help you need is closer than you think. A Place of Hope’s compassionate, whole person approach will provide the safe haven you need to heal and attain a lasting recovery.
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