Thank you for saying this. This topic reminded me of when I received treatment from the main hospital and clinic for eating disorders in my city, and the workbooks I received from them were only gendered towards females. With some of the exercises being “Write a letter to a younger girl who is struggling with body image concerns”, “please generate a top-10 list girls/women can do to resist the appearance ideal” as well as having things like “the goal is to help the younger version of your understand the different things she can do…” or to do things like try not to wear make up, or watch supermodel written in them... For someone who was really insecure at the time and had a lot of toxic masculinity which had pretty much fuelled my anorexia, it really felt like I was being kicked while on the ground.
Sending you my compassion. I believe that eating disorders are feminised and that make men's voices not heard. Remind yourself that you are worthy and choose recovery regardless of anything.
Tabitha I wanted to ask you about someone. I'm not sure if I'm experiencing this from the eating disorder. I've had atypical anorexia for four years. I despise the term atypical because I don't look like I have anorexia. I starved myself after going through sexual assault. I fasted a tonne. I won't go into the amount of days etc, but very servere before I got help. I relapsed a few months ago and did more extreme fasting. I was fat shamed by doctors who knew I had anorexia. The more I was fat shamed the more I starved and fasted. Really I should have been put in hospital. I have type 2 diabetes which has been unfortunate. Now I'm doing so much better. I got tachycardia, and was told by the emergency doctors that I needed to lose weight in a healthy way, and not the way i had done it. From that moment I stopped all fasting. The life that I was leading was insufferable. I just kept eating. I did go carnivore. I do believe I'm doing it in a healthy way. There's no calorie counting, carb counting. I'm a really good cook and have loved learning how to cook brisket. I made a carnivore cheesecake for an important anniversary. So I really feel that I'm doing it right for me. No intermittent fasting. I get this disgruntled feelings. I can be happy, but there can be this sortbof grumble feeling within me that's never been mine. I don't look like i had anorexia. I can't help but feel that it's like I've been a prisoner of war or something like that. My natural personality is very happy to lucky, and I'm becoming my old self. I'm getting so many interests now. I'm getting old pashions back. But still this disgruntled feeling. Did you ever have anything like this Tabitha? Oh I'm pleased to say I have a new GP who doesn't fat shame me. He will not think it's good if I start fasting. So that's a relief. God bless. Sending love from Australia xx
Ok, but there is an important distinction here ;) EDs: eating disorders EDS: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome ED: erectile dysfunction Especially in this context I think that's an important distinction! I would tend to disagree with the claim that men don't get ED as frequently as women do... but EDs, sure! :P
I think in part this presents more in the body building world for men. Then paired with the fact that for BOTH sexes, only very underweight anorexics seem to be taken seriously (in the UK at least.) For any other category of ED. Nothing, until the point where severe heart issues exist. I say this as a female who used to frequently pass out, causing two motorway crashes where cars where written off on both occasions. Plus separately being admitted to hospital with seizures, long terms loss of consciousnes, and dehydration. I don't have a diagnosis. So what hope does a male have? 😢
Completely off topic but I have a question abt taking antidepressants - specifically - in your personal experience or experience with clients, do you think antidepressants during recovery from an ED actually aid the recovery? Curious to hear your insights!😊
Just saw a "gym bro" video in whiche he said he had to sneak protein powder into a party to secretly take in the bathroom. They write it off as dedicated, driven or passionate.
Hello Tabitha!! I have a question I really want to recovery but at the same time I don’t cause I don’t what Iam gonna be without my Anorexia, I’m really struggling right now and I don’t know what to do, help me please 😞
I have extreme hunger but No appetite and no food sounds good. But I feel like I’m starving and I eat even if It feels like my stomach is telling me to stop eating because I have zero appetite. (I’m 7 months in recovery and it never was like this before) I’m so confused
