More men have eating disorders, says expert

An increasing number of men are seeking help for eating disorders, says men’s therapist Dr. Phil Tyson.

Dr. Tyson says that national statistics estimate that between 10 and 25 per cent of people experiencing eating disorders are men

Dr. Tyson says that his practice, based in Manchester, is reflecting this statistic.

“We are now seeing 17 and 18-year-old males exhibiting the similar cultural pressures that young girls and women have always had: to be ‘beautiful’.”

Dr. Tyson says that men are presenting themselves with a wide range of unhealthy body issues including an addiction to exercise and poor diet, sometimes also coupled with the taking of steroids, in order to try to achieve ‘male beauty’.

Other symptoms can include anorexia and bulimia or bigorexia (also known as reverse anorexia) where a man is showing compulsive obsessive behaviour to continually build his muscles.

“It’s quite evident that there is a lack of professional resources for men suffering from eating disorders in the UK. The exception is the charitable organisation ‘Men Get Eating Disorders Too’ which provides some guidance and signposting and is working hard to raise awareness.

“However, many professional counsellors and psychotherapists have not been trained to recognise the symptoms and are failing to notice and treat men with eating disorders.

“Equally, men find it difficult to accept diagnosis and treatment although there’s not much support available particularly in the NHS.”

Dr. Tyson, 44, works as a counsellor and psychotherapist, based in Manchester, and specialises in working with men and couples, particularly in the areas of depression, anxiety disorders, premature ejaculation, sex addiction, bereavement, terminal illness, and health anxiety.

He also writes a blog about men’s well-being and mental health, as well as essays on counselling and related themes.

He is regularly quoted in national magazines and talks on radio about men’s and relationship issues.

Last year, he published his first book “An Ethnographic Study of a Counsellor Training Programme: Person Centred Theory in Action.” about his experiences of training to be a psychotherapist 10 years ago.

He is an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

He has three degrees from the University of Manchester: a 1st class degree in Psychology, a Master of Philosophy in HIV Counselling and Support, and a Ph.D. in Counselling Theory and Counselling Practice.

Dr. Tyson is also a former lecturer in psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University.