Anorexia and other eating disorders can affect anyone, no matter their beliefs, background, or gender. However, far from everyone understands that people don’t choose their illnesses. And some people even think that men (especially straight men) can’t have anorexia. Let me repeat that: there are people out there who believe that if you’re a man, you can’t have anorexia. What’s next—someone stating that women can’t have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Andrew G. posted his before and after comparison pics of himself when he was anorexic versus how he looked after he conquered the condition and started looking like an athletic superhero. The internet’s reaction was incredibly supportive and Andrew was an inspiration for many people who were dealing with anorexia. However, when the story hit Tumblr, some internet users felt the need to make fun of Andrew, anorexia-sufferers, and men.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
Andrew beat anorexia and showed off his progress to the world!
Image credits: andrewg06
He was very proud of what he achieved
Image credits: andrewg06
Image credits: libertarirynn
However, some people couldn’t believe that men can have anorexia…
Image credits: libertarirynn
…and this instantly started a serious discussion
Image credits: libertarirynn
Image credits: libertarirynn
Image credits: libertarirynn
Image credits: libertarirynn
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
Some researchers have stated that anorexia isn’t just a mental illness, but has a genetic component as well.
For example, a study headed by researchers at King’s College London and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has indicated that recovery rates from anorexia might be low because it is partly a metabolic disorder. In other words, it’s not all just in someone’s head.
Anorexia nervosa leads to a dangerously low body weight, a warped body image, as well as a huge fear of gaining weight. The condition, which has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, affects 1 to 2 percent of women, as well as 0.2 to 0.4 percent of men.
Researchers used data collected by the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative and the Eating Disorders Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. They analyzed data from 16,992 anorexia cases and 55,525 controls, all from 17 different countries.
According to the researchers, anorexia is in part a metabolic, in part a psychiatric disorder that has similarities to OCD, depression, anxiety, as well as schizophrenia.
Here’s how some people reacted to others not knowing that men can have anorexia
Source: boredpanda.com