This week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week (27 February – 5 March) and this year the focus is on men and boys.
Around 1 in 4 people with eating disorders are men, but there can be challenges and barriers to spotting – and naming – the symptoms of an eating disorder or eating distress.
In Beat’s survey of men’s experiences for EDAW2023:
- 1 in 5 of those who took part had never spoken about their struggles
- 4 in 5 felt raising awareness would help more men get treatment sooner
At Eating Distress North East we use the term ‘distress’ instead of ‘disorder’ because you don’t need to be medically diagnosed to use our services, we’re here to support you and your recovery if you don’t have a diagnosis…and if you do.
“Liam didn’t like feeling sick, but he preferred it to feeling sad”
Our film ‘Liam’s Story’ shares a personal story of how sometimes we use food to cope with our feelings and stress.
Recovery is Possible
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders and the average duration of an eating disorder is seven years. But the earlier treatment is accessed, the better the chance of recovery.
We know that recovery is possible and we work to raise awareness of eating distress and support people and their loved ones.
Last year we supported 400 people with disordered eating in our counselling service and we’re here for all men, women, trans and non-binary people who might need our support.
#EDAW2023
#HelpMenGetHelp
#RecoveryIsPossible
