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notMYkid spreads the word about eating disorders... 
I introduce myself every night at 5:30pm as "Rachel, compulsive overeater." Sometimes, when I shake people's hands, I am still tempted to say, "Hi, I'm Rachel, compulsive eater and bulimic...err, I mean, Rachel, just Rachel." When I was asked to write this article, I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to swing; should I address the fellow addict with an eating problem? The loved one trying to help? The recovered deviant who has it made? I've decided I want to do what notMYkid does best - I want to expose some secrets, and use my personal experience with the disease of bulimia to share the truth with you.
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What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You... |
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Did you know that more and more boys and young men are getting Eating Disorders (EDs)? Typically, EDs, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, were seen as "female" problems. But, now, males account for approximately 15-20% of all cases. Boys are more and more driven by the need to be "perfect" in their appearance, especially in being overly lean and muscular. The term "musclerexia", describes a particular preoccupation with being "buff" or toned. He may spend hours a day working out, calculating his lean muscle mass, checking his weight, or measuring muscle size.
As well as focusing on excessively working out (hours every day), boys may begin restricting the amount and types of foods that they will "allow" themselves saying they are just attempting to eat more "healthy." While this may, at first, seem very positive to a parent, if the male begins to lose weight beyond a healthy range and exhibits signs of preoccupation with appearance, this could be a sign of an eating disorder which can lead to serious medical and emotional consequences.
So, what do you do as a parent? Pay attention to your son, ask questions, and be aware of the possibility of healthy behaviors turning into an emotional addiction. If you are concerned about any type of disordered eating patterns in your kids or family members, have a full assessment done by a primary care provider and mental health professional. Through education, counseling, and medical management, boys and girls can live in a healthy manner without having an eating disorder run their life.
Jan Hamilton, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Doorways, LLC
Counseling and Psychiatric services for adolescents and young adults
1825 E. Northern, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-997-2880
www.doorwaysarizona.com
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