Description

Binge-eating is a common feature in the disordered eating landscape. Binge-Eating Disorder as a diagnosis affects around 3.5% women, 2% men and 1.6% adolescents. Today I speak with Ryan Sheldon, a male who has struggled with binge-eating disorder and is using his experience to help others through his blog, Confessions of a Binge-eater.

Important take home messages include:

• Accepting you have a problem
• Asking for help
• Finding someone you can trust to hear and not judge you when you’re struggling
• Realising it’s a ‘real’ problem, that you’re not alone, and that there are other men who are struggling with this

Other key points:

• Body shaming affects men
• There will be people out there who will understand and not judge or shame you. Your national ED association is a good place to ask for relevant points of connection and referral.

One thing Ryan says would have helped him 5 years ago:

• Having someone help me identify that I had a problem.
• “I don’t know where I would be right now if I had been asked about my eating habits” says Ryan.

Here’s a simple questionnaire that can help you identify if you have an eating issue that warrants further assessment.

For further help see your primary health care physician or contact michelle@michellesparkes.com

Questions and feedback welcome.

michelle@michellesparkes.com

@mp_sparkes