boiMAG.com "Eating Disorders"

by: Dr. Charla Waxman, BS, MBA, EdD,

Eating Disorders: Widespread and Dangerous

Eating disorders has been addressed in BOI magazine before. This time we’ll take a look at how it specifically affects gay and bisexual men.

No matter the population, eating disorders has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness (National Eating Disorder Association). As an example, from NEDA, we learn that 20% of those with an rexia nervosa (the state of eating disorders that features an obsession with weight loss or control through minimal food intake) die from complications of the disorder; ie, heart attack or suicide.

Although eating disorders are often associated with women, gay and bisexual men may even be at higher risk. A Columbia University study, from the Mailman School of Public Health (2007), completed a first-of-itskind review of eating disorders that definitively identified gay and bisexual men as “at-risr for eating disorders. In this study, surveying 516 New York City residents (126 straight men, the rest were gay and bisexual men and women), 15% of the gay and bisexual men struggled with some form of eating disorders. In a discussion of potential causes, it was indicated that this may be related to bodycentric focus and high expectations of physical appearance in the gay community. Other related causes included stress and prejudice-related interactions with community members and the work place.

According NEDA (unrelated to the study), gay and bisexual men report fasting, vomiting, use of laxatives and diet supplements to control weight. Although gay men represent only 5% of the total male population, 42% of men who identify as having an eating disorder are gay or bisexual. Of all of the “States” of eating disorders, NEDA indicates that bulimia (characterized by binging on large amounts of food, often in a short time period, then purging to rid oneself of the calories) affects gay men more than others forms of eating disorders.

Part of the reason that so many in the gay community suffer, and sometimes die from eating disorders is that there is always stigma related to mental health. For all populations and all cultures, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, indicates that about 40% of those needing mental health services do not seek or receive treatment. In the gay community a barrier to treatment may include fewer gay-friendly or gayunique therapy services. In addition, there may be reduced friend or family support. Education, of course, Is always a factor and information about men who have eating disorders and how to effectively treat them may be unavailable.

If you love someone who has an eating disorder, consider these ways to provide Support and offer them a chance for recovery.

1.Take all threats of suicide seriously and seek immediate help.

2. Tell them what you observe and that help is available. Even if the observation is not well received, maybe you have sparked interest in what kind of help is out there and you will have certainly let them know you are paying attention and that you care. You don’t have to be a nag, but keep them on your radar. When the time feels right, try again.

3. Stay away from the “just eat a sandwich” or “I’ll show you how to eat healthy” solutions. Remember, what looks like a decision may really be an obsession. Mental illness can’t just be “willed” away. Don’t withdraw support if the eating disordered behavior continues.

4. Reduce stigma by sharing facts from places like NEDA and NAMI. It may help your loved one understand that they are truly not alone. Read all you can, get yourself knowledgeable, so the facts you share are real.

5. Never promise not to tell. You may need to make calls to get them support or notify a friend who can help you be a helper.

6. Set a time and place to talk. This may take a while. It will be emotion charged and those kind of discussions take time.

7. When you do meet up, have an idea of what you want to convey. Practicing or even writing down what you want to say may make it easier on you.

8. Remember when you learned about “I” statements in grade school? Well that applies here. Starting a sentence with “You” can mean a defensive answer will follow. Open with: “I noticed that , I am worried because, or I am concerned about you...”.

Use these eating disorder hotlines to help you help others:

NEDA: 1 800 931 2237 (a help line, but not 24 hours)

Hopeline Network: 1 800 442 4673 they may answer with “suicide hotline”, but they serve all emotional disorders, 24/7)

Overeaters Anonymous: 1 505 891 2664

To Advertise: Call: 73.975.0264 or email: boiAds@aol.com