Forgotten brothers...
This is a hard one for me, because I don't know any men personally who struggle with an eating disorder - or, maybe I do, and I just don't know about it. Who knows?
The treatment center I went to only allowed women into the program - so I never got to know another male who struggled, ever. And even in blogging land, I'd say that 98% of the people who blog about their eating disorders are women - at least in my own, personal experience. So, no opportunities really for me to meet men in Blogging Land, either. Though I really wish there were.
Photo - Mila playing in her new fat kitty shirt I bought her on my trip. I missed that face!
But just because I don't know any guys who have an eating disorder, doesn't of course mean that there aren't any - I know that's not true. And it must be so hard for them, to struggle with a disease that is so commonly thought of as just something women struggle with - that's sucky stigma, right there. I can maybe imagine that a man suffering with an eating disorder is probably about as scary to talk about as a woman who has a serious pornography addiction - yes, I don't doubt there are women out there who struggle with that, but because it's such a predominant addiction that men have, it's probably scary and hard and embarrassing to admit that she struggles with it. Likewise for a man struggling with an eating disorder.
Eating disorders don't freaking discriminate. Old, young, black, white, male, female, you name it, you can get it. And even though I don't personally know any men who struggle, I still salute you, if you are reading this. I hope that you can be brave and fight and know you can get through this.
To some you may be "forgotten," but on this day, I'm going to remember you.
5 comments:
There is a book coming out on May 16th called "10 mile morning" by Adam Lamparello and it's about his stuggles with anorexia. I'm looking forward to reading it because just like you I don't know any men who struggle with eds.
This was a great post. I don't personally know any men who suffer from E.D's either and it was hard for me to imagine what it's like for them.
Asa, i just looked into that book; i hadn't heard anything about it, but it looks great. i think i'm going to read it - thanks for the recommendation!
My boyfriend actually had an ED when he was a teenager, long before I knew him, not to the point of hospitalisation, but still severe. I think we get each other in that way. I never allow him near a scale because he still gets a bit weird when he knows his weight.
hmm so that is who Adam is. He tried friending me on fb. Makes more sense now. I'm not a big fan of getting random friend requests
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