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Anorexia in Men: Signs, Causes, & How to Get Help

Published: January 18, 2022 Updated: March 23, 2023
Published: 01/18/2022 Updated: 03/23/2023
Headshot of Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Written by:

Kerry Heath

LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • What Is Anorexia?Definition
  • What Are Signs of Anorexia In Men?Signs
  • Causes & Risk Factors For Anorexia In MenCauses
  • Men & Body ImageBody Image
  • Why Does Anorexia Often Go Undiagnosed In Men?Why It's Undiagnosed
  • What Are the Consequences of Untreated Anorexia In Men?Consequences
  • When Should Someone See a Professional For Male Anorexia?When to Get Help
  • Treatment of Anorexia In MenTreatment
  • How to Get Help For Male AnorexiaHelp For Male Anorexia
  • Statistics For Anorexia In MenStatistics
  • Ways to Cope With Male AnorexiaHow to Cope
  • Final Thoughts on Anorexia In MenConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Anorexia in Men InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Written by:

Kerry Heath

LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD

Eating disorders are traditionally thought to be conditions that primarily impact women. Despite this misconception, roughly one in three people with eating disorders are men. In the USA, 10 million men will be impacted by anorexia in their lives.16 Anorexia is most often diagnosed during adolescence, but men can struggle with eating disorders at any stage of development.

Living with anorexia can be dangerous, so it’s important to get help. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

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What Is Anorexia?

Anorexia is a type of eating disorder that is fueled by a fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia severely limit their consumption of food and become underweight. This comes from a distorted sense of self in which a person with anorexia may still see themselves as fat or overweight, when they are actually underweight.

What Are Signs of Anorexia In Men?

Men may exhibit different signs of anorexia nervosa than females, including a preoccupation with weight lifting and/or being severely malnourished. Physical changes may also be masked for longer periods in men vs. women due to the general shape of the male form.

Common signs of anorexia in men include:2

  • Preoccupation with weightlifting or bodybuilding
  • Anxiety associated with missing a workout
  • Working out when injured or ill
  • Decreased interest in sex
  • Severe dieting
  • Severely malnourished or underweight
  • Taking body measurements or weighing constantly
  • Exhaustion
  • Anger or irritation when questioned about behavior or appearance
  • Hair loss

Causes & Risk Factors For Anorexia In Men

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports that the mortality rate in males with anorexia is greater than that of women. This risk is why it is critical to seek professional assistance as soon as an eating disorder is suspected or discovered.

Other risk factors for anorexia in men include:16,19

  • Stigma and cultural norms regarding anorexia as affecting more females and gay men
  • Unrealistic ideals of what the male body should look like (i.e., muscular, ripped)
  • Sexual objectification of men in the media
  • Onset of puberty
  • Genetic predisposition (28-74% of risk for ED is genetic)
  • 25% of men perceive themselves to be underweight
  • 90% of teenage boys exercise to become more muscular
  • Muscle dysmorphia (believing that one’s body isn’t muscular or lean enough)

Many of the causes of male anorexia are similar to those in women. There is no single cause of anorexia in men.

Commonly reported triggers or life events that lead to eating disorders in men include:3

  • Bullying or teasing about appearance (weight, height, shape, etc.) during childhood
  • Success or failure in sports (especially sports like wrestling, running, and gymnastics)
  • Body dissatisfaction (height, weight, shape, hair loss, aging, etc.)
  • Increasing body weight and/or fat
  • Media influence regarding ideal body shape that differs from their own
  • Sexual issues related to appearance
  • Appearance/weight prejudice in social or occupational situations
  • To improve a relationship
  • To avoid medical issues such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure

Men & Body Image

Men are subject to the influence of societal pressures to achieve a perfect body just like women, even if the resulting physique is different. Body image distortion is a key element in most eating disorders, especially anorexia (i.e., how they think they look vs. how others think they look). It increases the risk of eating disorders due to extreme measures one will go to pursue an “ideal” body.

The ideal, muscular male that is presented to men by the media is nearly impossible to achieve. For some who are unable to reach this ideal, spending hours in the gym, taking steroids, using protein supplements, and following fad diets seem like the only options to gain success and acceptance.

Men suffer from muscle dysmorphia related to a fear that they are not muscular enough. This is true of weightlifters who are observably quite muscular and large. This is akin to female anorexics who believe they are too big despite being quite thin.

Because male patients with muscle dysmorphia engage in excessive exercise and eating disorder behaviors designed to manipulate body weight and shape, researchers categorize muscle dysmorphia as a version of anorexia nervosa more closely aligned with traditional male gender norms.14

Why Does Anorexia Often Go Undiagnosed In Men?

Despite nearly 25% of all anorexia cases being male, men tend to go untreated for lengthier periods of time than their female counterparts.7 This could be due to bias, stigma, and lack of research, among other things.

Reasons for undiagnosed anorexia in men include:

  • Bias by professionals leading to less likelihood of eating disorder diagnosis in males
  • Stigma associated with males seeking help for what has traditionally thought to be a female or gay male disorder
  • The disorder not being recognized by family members
  • The males not seeing their behaviors as problematic
  • Minimal attention to male eating disorder symptoms and predominantly female language in most eating disorder assessment measures
  • Most research and subsequent funding have historically excluded males from studies
  • Predominantly feminine branding of eating disorder treatment centers and exclusion of males in their milieus
  • Until recent changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), diagnostic criteria were gender based, making it harder for males to be diagnosed

What Are the Consequences of Untreated Anorexia In Men?

Eating disorders can have a profoundly negative impact on an individual’s quality of life, regardless of their gender. Anorexia produces many physical and emotional consequences if left untreated. Ultimately, this is because long-term starvation has a significant impact on the human body.

Effects of untreated anorexia in men include:

  • Lack of energy
  • Slow and/or irregular heartbeat
  • Cold extremities
  • Dry skin
  • Hair loss
  • Weakness
  • Digestive issues (bloating & constipation)
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Low testosterone levels
  • Bone loss and osteoporosis
  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Disrupted sleep

Self-concept, relationships, finances, and employment are often negatively impacted by an eating disorder. In addition to these types of consequences, eating disorders are associated with co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders. The degree to which these consequences are a direct or secondary result of anorexia is unclear.

Men who are preoccupied with their bodies and exercise will experience negative impacts on personal and professional relationships. It is likely that the eating disorder will create a lack of intimacy and distance in his relationships as well. A man will no longer experience joy in the activities he once loved due to his need to control every aspect of his new life with anorexia.

When Should Someone See a Professional For Male Anorexia?

Early intervention is critical due to the serious health consequences associated with anorexia along with the high mortality risk.20 Parents, if you notice that your child or adolescent has stopped eating, has lost significant weight, or has stopped growing, seek professional assistance from a licensed therapist, registered dietitian, or physician with eating disorder expertise.

Any time a child or adolescent either loses or fails to make expected weight gains, it could be a sign of an eating disorder if combined with other symptoms. Additionally, if your child has less energy than normal, is getting sick more frequently, is refusing to join the family at meal time, or is exercising more than is typical, a trip to see a professional is warranted. Other symptoms are irritability, sleep disturbance, pale or dry skin, hair loss, increased dental issues, or more frequent injuries.

Many of the same symptoms mentioned with children and adolescents are important to note in adult males as well. Weight changes and food refusal are the obvious signs to look for in anorexia.

Additionally, if an adult male experiences physical symptoms like lightheadedness, headaches, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, sleep disturbance, hair loss, increased dental issues, increased injuries after working out, depression, anxiety, or notable changes in their physical or mental health, it’s important to seek out professional assistance.

Treatment of Anorexia In Men

The important first steps to treatment of anorexia is medical stabilization, re-feeding, and weight restoration when needed. There are many different types of treatment options available for eating disorders and several professionals collaborate with one another to form a multidisciplinary treatment team of therapists, dietitians, medical providers, and psychiatrists.

Here are different forms of treatment for male anorexia:

Therapy

Individual, family, and group therapies are available on an outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) basis for those who don’t require medical monitoring in a hospital setting. Outpatient therapy can be attended one to two times a week with either a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). or a licensed psychologist (PhD or PsyD).

If a patient needs more frequent contact, intensive outpatient therapy is the next level of care. Intensive outpatient programs are usually attended three to four times each week for up to 10 hours each week. These programs consist of group therapy, individual and family therapy sessions, nutrition counseling, and psychiatry appointments for medication management.

If a patient is unable to remain stable at one of these two levels of care, other more intense options are also available.

Common Type of Therapies

The most common types of therapies used to treat anorexia in males include:

  • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals in challenging distorted thinking, behaviors, and emotions that serve to maintain their eating disorders. This type of treatment focuses on helping the eating disorder client recognize and change negative thinking and behavioral patterns. Therapists may recommend enhanced CBT (CBT-E) for some men struggling with anorexia.
  • DBT: Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is designed to help clients develop new skill sets through modules such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. These are designed to help individuals deal with anxiety, out-of-control emotions, and other issues that contribute to one’s eating disorder.
  • FBT: Family based therapy (FBT), also referred to as the Maudsley Method, is effective with young patients and adolescents. It involves putting a family member in charge of the refeeding process for weight gain or maintenance and recovery. The family is an integral part of the team and works to re-establish healthy eating patterns and interrupt unhealthy behaviors such as purging and over-exercise. The family member prepares and serves meals until the client can function on their own again at an age-appropriate level.
  • ERP: Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is used to expose clients to their fears. In the case of an eating disorder, it is often a fear of foods and situations that create anxiety related to body image. ERP is designed to reduce the amount of emotional and physical distress a client experiences when confronted with a specific thought or situation.

Living with anorexia can be dangerous, so it’s important to get help. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Intended Treatment Outcome & Timeline

The timeline for treatment of an eating disorder involves a multi-step cycle beginning with recognizing the developing symptoms of an eating disorder, seeking out professional help, diagnosis of a possible eating disorder, waiting for specialized care and confirmation of an eating disorder, participating in treatment, recovery, and in some cases, a relapse leading back to the first step of the cycle.

The intended outcome when treating any eating disorder is for the individual to be free from most or all symptoms. Professionals attempt to assist the person in getting to a place in which their disorder is no longer impairing their physical and emotional health or interfering with social, educational, or vocational pursuits.

There are no standard lengths of care to achieve recovery from an eating disorder regardless of the type of treatment used. The longer a person goes without care, the more likely they are to experience periods of partial recovery and relapse requiring additional treatment.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to the formal treatment a person receives for anorexia, including therapy and medication, there are lifestyle changes that can be helpful as well. These include engaging in a support system, practicing self-care, and limiting social media use.

Here are lifestyle changes that help manage an eating disorder:

  • Social contact: Spend time with family and friends to increase support and accountability
  • Self-care: Make sure to get adequate sleep to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
  • Stress-reduction: Participate in activities that increase relaxation and decrease stress such as meditation, listening to music, yoga, art, or massage
  • Limit social media: Social media and eating disorders have a connection, so it’s important to reduce exposure to social media to decrease anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and exposure to a culture of dieting and over-exercise
  • Support system: Join a support group or increasing circle of friends to help with feeling less alone, judged, or isolated while dealing with treatment and recovery

Medication

Anorexia can cause many medical and psychological conditions. Medications are used at times to address the complications associated with the disorder. These medications range from over the counter supplements and vitamins to psychiatric medications such as antidepressants and drugs designed to reduce anxiety.

These medications are best used in conjunction with care from a licensed therapist and registered dietitian as medication alone is not an adequate treatment for anorexia. There are no known drugs that are used to treat or cure anorexia. There are medications that can be used to assist with underlying mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

The most common class of drugs used off-label to treat those with anorexia are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft).8 These drugs increase serotonin which is involved in regulating several important functions including sleep, appetite, and body weight. They’re used due to the relatively low rate of side-effects and positive impact on depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

When combined with psychotherapy, SSRIs are a helpful addition to the treatment plans of eating disorder patients. If a patient does not respond favorably to an SSRI, doctors may prescribe other medications off-label such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), which is an antipsychotic drug which is commonly used to treat schizophrenia. In some, this drug has been found to assist with weight gain and obsessive thinking.12

An off-label use of a medication is when they are not FDA-approved for the indication, but doctors prescribe them because they believe they can provide a safe and effective treatment when another medication isn’t available. It’s recommended that eating disorder patients on psychotropic medications are seen by either a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner with training and experience specific to eating disorders.

How to Get Help For Male Anorexia

Anorexia can be a life-threatening condition, so if you or a loved one is dealing with this or any other eating disorder, it is imperative that you seek out professional help. An initial assessment with either an eating disorder therapist or registered dietitian is a good starting point. These individuals are trained to recognize and diagnose all eating disorders.

They will make appropriate recommendations for additional providers if necessary. In the most severe cases, professionals may refer to treatment facilities or hospitals specializing in the care of those with anorexia including intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, or inpatient facilities.

Anorexia requires treatment from many professionals collaborating with one another to provide specialized care. There are varying levels of care available to treat those with anorexia, depending upon the severity of the individual’s condition. Individual therapists, dietitians and even treatment centers are available who have specialized experience in treating men with eating disorders.

To find a therapist, look through an online therapist directory where you can sort by specialty and insurance coverage.

How to Get Help For a Loved One

If you’re wondering how to help someone with an eating disorder, encourage them to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician or locate an eating disorder specialist through their insurance carrier. When searching for specialists, a credential to seek out is a therapist who is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS).

These therapists are certified by the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) due to their highly specialized training and years of experience in the field of eating disorders.

Online resources are also available through some of the following agencies:

  • National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
  • Alliance for Eating Disorders
  • ED Referral
  • Eating Disorder Hope 

Statistics For Anorexia In Men

Consider the following statistics regarding anorexia in men:

  • It is estimated that 25% of those with eating disorders are male6
  • Over 80% of college men are body dissatisfied7
  • 25% of normal weight males perceive themselves to be underweight17
  • 90% of teenage boys exercise with the goal of bulking up17
  • A recent study says 22% of young men turn to dangerous means to bulk up muscle with disordered eating behaviors15
  • Men with anorexia nervosa may face “harsher stigmatization from their peers or go undiagnosed” because of the stereotype that anorexia nervosa is a “female” disorder, a recent study found21
  • Studies show that risk of mortality in eating disorders is higher in males than in females16
  • In the USA, 10 million males will be impacted by anorexia in their lives16
  • 10% of male, college athletes are at risk for anorexia17
  • 51% of boys exercise to lose weight or to avoid gaining weight17
  • Nearly 1/3 of teenage boys use unhealthy measures such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, or laxative abuse to control their weight7

4 Ways to Cope With Male Anorexia

For males struggling with anorexia, our culture can be one fraught with challenges and unhealthy messages regarding nutrition and exercise that make recovering from an eating disorder one of the hardest things he will ever face. Our society promotes an ideal of a muscular and toned male who is physically fit, sexually appealing, and successful.

There are several ways to cope while recovering from an eating disorder:

1. Practice Regular Self-Care

In the simplest terms, the male anorexic must learn to replace ineffective behaviors with positive coping skills. When you can find alternative ways to relax and reduce anxiety, you’ll be able to avoid eating disorder behaviors far easier.

These alternative coping skills will be different for each person based on what works for them. A leisurely walk may work for one man while a handy project around the house may be a better option for the next.

2. Develop a Support System

Identify people in your personal life that you can go to for support in addition to your therapist, your dietitian, and psychiatrist. A few trustworthy people that share common interests can make all the difference in one’s recovery journey. When you find yourself tempted to engage in eating disorder behavior, spend time with a friend or family member to get through the tough moments of recovery.

3. Manage Your Triggers

To manage your ineffective behaviors, identify your vulnerabilities and triggers. A therapist or dietitian can help you identify these so you can be better equipped to fight them. Your triggers act as a warning system that the eating disorder is close behind, waiting to rear its ugly head. If you have a plan established to deal with these triggers, you’re more likely to fight them effectively.

4. Attend Therapy Regularly

It’s tempting to taper back on therapies once you start feeling a bit stronger. Naturally, you want to get back to your “normal” life as soon as possible. However, it’s critical to attend your therapy and nutrition appointments until you’re discharged from care to ensure that you’re securely fixed into recovery. Actively planning against relapse is a crucial part of the recovery process.

Final Thoughts on Anorexia In Men

If you or someone you love is struggling with anorexia, there is hope to recover and live a healthy life ahead. Your doctor, a therapist, and other members of your care team can work with you to help you determine the best way to move forward and heal from anorexia.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

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For Further Reading

The following are helpful additional resources for anyone impacted by anorexia in men:

  • National Association for Males with Eating Disorders (N.A.M.E.D.)
  • ANAD (National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders)
  • Gurze/Salucore Eating Disorders Resource Catalogue

Anorexia in Men Infographics

Signs of Anorexia in Men Risk Factors and Triggers for Anorexia in Men Why Anorexia Often Goes Undiagnosed in Men Ways to Cope with Anorexia in Men

23 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Aigner M, Treasure J, Kaye W, Kasper S; WFSBP Task Force On Eating Disorders. World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Sep;12(6):400-43. doi: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51683725

  • Anorexia in Men and Boys: Treatment and Statistics. American Addictions Center. (2020). https://americanaddictioncenters.org/male-eating-disorders/anorexia

  • Andersen, A., Cohn, L, & Holbrook, T. (200). Making Weight: Men’s Conflicts with Food, Weight, Shape, & Appearance. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze, CA.

  • American Addictions Center. (2020). https://americanaddictioncenters.org/male-eating-disorders/anorexia

  • Berkman ND, Bulik CM, Brownley KA, Lohr KN, Sedway JA, Rooks A, Gartlehner G. Management of eating disorders. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep). 2006 Apr;(135):1-166. PMID: 17628126; PMCID: PMC4780981. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17628126/

  • Dakanalis A, Timko CA, Favagrossa L, Riva G, Zanetti MA, Clerici M. Why do only a minority of men report severe levels of eating disorder symptomatology, when so many report substantial body dissatisfaction? Examination of exacerbating factors. Eat Disord. 2014;22(4):292-305. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2014.898980. Epub 2014 Mar 28. PMID: 24678597. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24678597/

  • Dakanalis A, Zanetti AM, Riva G, Colmegna F, Volpato C, Madeddu F, Clerici M. Male body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptomatology: moderating variables among men. J Health Psychol. 2015 Jan;20(1):80-90. doi: 10.1177/1359105313499198. Epub 2013 Aug 29. PMID: 23988683. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23988683/

  • Flament MF, Bissada H, Spettigue W. Evidence-based pharmacotherapy of eating disorders. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2012 Mar;15(2):189-207. doi: 10.1017/S1461145711000381. Epub 2011 Mar 18. PMID: 21414249. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21414249/

  • Gallagher KA, Sonneville KR, Hazzard VM, Carson TL, Needham BL. Evaluating gender bias in an eating disorder risk assessment questionnaire for athletes. Eat Disord. 2019 May 11:1-13. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2019.1613846. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 31079562. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31079562/

  • Lavender, Jason M., Tiffany A. Brown, and Stuart B. Murray. 2017. “Men, Muscles, and Eating Disorders: An Overview of Traditional and Muscularity-Oriented Disordered Eating.” Current Psychiatry Reports 19 (6): 32. doi: 10.1007/s11920-017-0787-5.

  • Le Grange D, Lock J, Agras WS, Bryson SW, Jo B. Randomized clinical trial of family-based treatment and cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescent bulimia nervosa. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;54(11):886–94.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2015.08.008 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26506579/

  • Mitchell JE, de Zwaan M, Roerig JL. Drug therapy for patients with eating disorders. Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord. 2003 Feb;2(1):17-29. doi: 10.2174/1568007033338850. PMID: 12769809. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12769809/

  • Murray SB, Nagata JM, Griffiths S, Calzo JP, Brown TA, Mitchison D, Blashill AJ, Mond JM. The enigma of male eating disorders: A critical review and synthesis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017 Nov;57:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.08.001. Epub 2017 Aug 2. PMID: 28800416. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28800416/

  • Murray SB, Rieger E, Karlov L, Touyz SW. Masculinity and femininity in the divergence of male body image concerns. J Eat Disord. 2013;(1):11.  doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-11 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24999393/

  • Nagata, J.M., Murray, S.B., Bibbins-Domingo, K. Garber, A.K., Mitchison, D., & Griffths, S. (2019). Predictors of Muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults: A Prospective Study. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 52(12), 1380-1388. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eat.23094

  • National Eating Disorders Association. (2018). Eating Disorders in Men and Boys. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/research-on-males

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  • Sangha, s, Oliffe, J.T., Kelly, M.T., & McCuaig, F. (2019). Eating Disorders in Males: How Primary Care Providers Can Improve Recognition, Diagnosis, and Treatment. American Journal of Men’s Health. 13(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560809/

  • Sly, R. (2016). Eating disorders: patients need early diagnosis and rapid treatment. Guidelines in Practice. https://www.guidelinesinpractice.co.uk/eating-disorders-patients-need-early-diagnosis-and-rapid-treatment/352866.article

update history

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

  • Originally Published: October 30, 2020
    Original Author: Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
    Original Reviewer: Dena Westphalen, PharmD

  • Updated: January 18, 2023
    Author: No Change
    Reviewer: No Change
    Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “What Is Anorexia?”. New material written by Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C and reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD.

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Headshot of Kerry Heath, LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Written by:

Kerry Heath

LPC-S, NCC, CEDS-S
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • What Is Anorexia?Definition
  • What Are Signs of Anorexia In Men?Signs
  • Causes & Risk Factors For Anorexia In MenCauses
  • Men & Body ImageBody Image
  • Why Does Anorexia Often Go Undiagnosed In Men?Why It's Undiagnosed
  • What Are the Consequences of Untreated Anorexia In Men?Consequences
  • When Should Someone See a Professional For Male Anorexia?When to Get Help
  • Treatment of Anorexia In MenTreatment
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